Sale: Triton XII, Lot: 709. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 5 January 2009.  Sold For $1800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ 29mm (14.41 g, 6h). Seleucia ad Calycadnum mint. AV • K • M • AVP • C Є OVHP • AΛЄZA/NΔPOC, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / СЄΛЄV in exergue, KEΩN K AΛ VK A ΔNΩ, infant Zeus seated facing on throne, head left, raising right hand; around him, three Curetes, each wearing military outfit, striking shields with swords. SNG France 1004 var. (illustrated specimen with countermark; same dies); SNG Levante -; cf. SNG von Aulock 5831 (Caracalla) and 5834 (Macrinus); cf. SNG Copenhagen 212 (Macrinus); Waddington 4467. Good VF, dark green patina with dusty earthen overtones. A very rare reverse type for this emperor.

From the D. Alighieri Collection.

The Curetes share some of the attributes of the Corybantes, dancing divinities associated with the worship of Cybele, but their specific role in Greek mythology was to serve as the protectors of the infant Zeus while he was hidden away on Crete, safe from his murderous father Cronus. Their militant dancing, accompanied by the clashing of swords on shields, drowned out the cries of the infant. The Curetes’ dance was later re-enacted by young men at Greek festivals and games.