Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 93. Estimate CHF50000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF425. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MYSIA, Kyzikos. 5th-4th century BC. Stater (Electrum, 16.08 g). Head of Attis to right, wearing Phrygian cap ornamented with stars; below, tunny to right Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. SNG France 291. Von Fritze I, 142. A superb coin with a splendid head of Attis, beautifully preserved and perfectly struck in high relief. Surely the finest known example of this engaging type. Extremely fine.

Ex The New York Sale IV, 17 January 2002, 191.

Attis was the consort of Cybele and made himself into a eunuch to proclaim his eternal faithfulness to her. He was, however, killed by a boar. He seems to be of Phrygian origin and is, thus, always represented wearing Phrygian costume, such as the elaborate cap he wears here. He and Adonis were prototypes for Antinoos, the lover of Hadrian. Interestingly enough, Attis began to develop a cult of his own and became quite popular during the 2nd century AD.