The Abduction of Persephone

206, Lot: 311. Estimate $100. Sold for $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Colybrassus. Valerian II. Caesar, AD 256-258. Æ 11 Assaria (26mm, 12.68 g, 1h). Bare-headed, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind, above eagle standing facing, head right, with wings displayed / Hades in galloping quadriga right, abducting Persephone; torch and overturned kantharus below. SNG Levante 346 (same dies); SNG France -. Near VF, pale green patina, light roughness.

From the D. Alighieri Collection.

Hades fell in love with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, and asked Zeus for permission to marry her. Zeus did not wish to offend his brother by refusing, but knew also that Demeter would not forgive him if Persephone were committed to the underworld. Zeus stated that he would neither give nor withhold his consent. This emboldened Hades to abduct Persephone, as she was picking flowers in a meadow, and carry her away in his horse-drawn chariot to the underworld.