Sale: Nomos 2, Lot: 203. Estimate CHF850.  Closing Date: Monday, 17 May 2010.  Sold For CHF950. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Philippopolis, Thrace. Elagabalus. 218-222. 2 Assaria (Bronze, 24mm, 8.70 g 1). ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΥΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ ΝΕΩ - ΚΟΡΩΝ Prize crown inscribed ΠΥΘΙΑ. BMC -. Varbanov 1532. Weber 2776. Rare. Well struck and clear with a dark green patina. Nearly extremely fine.

The Pythian Games were refounded by Caracalla in Thrace, and they were especially celebrated at Philippopolis, which produced a commemorative coinage bearing numerous types related to the event. This piece shows one of the elaborate crowns given to the victor - as well as two laurel branches. Most conveniently, the crown is carefully named so that we can have not doubt to which festival it relates.