Sale: Nomos 6, Lot: 147. Estimate CHF875.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 May 2012.  Sold For CHF2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Syedra, Cilicia. Marcus Aurelius. 161-180. 3 Assaria (Bronze, 28mm, 18.19 g 6), c. 161-169. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟC Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius to right. Rev. CΥΕΔΡΕΩΝ Dike, draped on the left, leading Ares, moving left, helmeted and in armor, who is tied with a rope held by Hermes, nude and holding his kerykeion, standing left behind him. SNG Levante -. SNG Paris -. SNG von Aulock -. Cf. Ziegler, Kilikia, 121 (Lucius Verus). Very rare. Sharply struck, attractive and with a dark reddish-brown patina. Extremely fine.

From the M Collection, ex Gorny & Mosch 134, 11 October 2004, 2069.

When the city asked the oracle of Klaros how it could protect itself from a pirate attack the oracle replied that Syedra should erect a propitiatory statue group, showing the warlike Ares (symbolizing the violence of a pirate attack) bound by Hermes and led by Dike (Justitia). This the city did and the base for the group apparently still exists at the site.