Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 177. Estimate CHF20000.
Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.
Sold For CHF24000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
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MYSIA, Kyzikos. Autonomous issues. Circa 180s AD. 8 Assaria or Medallion (Bronze, 40mm, 33.17 g 6), Struck in the time of Commodus. ΚΟΡΗ ϹΩΤϵΙΡΑ ΚΥΖΙΚΗΝΩΝ Draped bust of Kore to right, wearing grain wreath and with her hair tied in a bun at the back.
Rev. ΝϵΩΚΟΡΩΝ / ΚΥΖΙΚΗΝΩΝ Youthful Dionysos, nude and holding a pitcher in his right hand and a thyrsos in his left, standing left in a chariot drawn by two panthers walking to left; above panthers, Pan standing left, raising his right hand and holding lagobolon with his left; to left, male figure standing left, wearing short chiton, holding a staff with his right hand and holding a basket with fruits in it balanced on his head with his left. M. Bernhart,
Dionysos und seine Familie auf griechischen Münzen JfNG I (1949), 850 and pl. V, 5 = Imhoof-lumer, Gr M 615 and pl. VII, 4 (reverse only and with an obverse bearing a bust of Commodus). SNG France -. SNG von Aulock -. Von Fritze III - (but cf. p. 24, 6). Extremely rare,
probably unique. An impressive coin of great beauty and charm with a fine dark patina; traces of a centering mark on the obverse and reverse. Some traces of minor cleaning marks,
otherwise, extremely fine.
Ex Numismatica Genevensis V, 2 December 2008, 106 (but reverse misdescribed).
This exceptional coin forms part of an extensive series of ‘medallions’ that were produced at some time during the reign of Commodus. At least twelve others are known, all with differing reverses (listed by von Fritze as noted above) that refer to the gods and goddesses of Kyzikos and to the city’s relations with the Emperor. Counting this new piece, three bear chariots on their reverses: one with Demeter in her biga drawn by winged snakes, another supposedly again with Demeter but in a biga drawn by centaurs, and this one with Dionysos and his panthers. The engraver responsible for the dies of this series was exceptionally talented.
