Sale: Nomos 6, Lot: 176. Estimate CHF1750.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 May 2012.  Sold For CHF1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Tarsus, Cilicia. Caracalla. 198-217. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 33.5mm, 19.79 g 6), c. 214-217. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥΡ CΕΟΥΗΡΟC ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC CΕΒ Π Π Bust of Caracalla to right, wearing the diadem and robes of a Demiourgos. Rev. ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑΝΗC CΕΥΗΡΙΑΝ ΑΔΡΙΑ / ΤΑΡCΟΥ /Α Μ Κ /Γ Β On left and right, two nude athletes standing facing each other and flanking a four legged table on which is an elaborate prize crown and two vases; below the table, amphora. BMC 195 var. SNG Paris 1525-1528 (same obverse die but different reverses). An unusually interesting coin with fascinating reverse. Lovely green patina with earthen highlights. Rough surfaces as found, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the M Collection, ex LHS 95, 25 October 2005, 831.

The reverse shows the victors of the “Antonian, Severan and Hadrianic Games” at Tarsus - these were also honorary titles for the city itself. The letters on the reverse field are also honorifics: “First, Biggest and Most Beautiful” “Ruler over the three districts of the province, and holder of two temples of the Imperial cult.” Tarsus was especially fond of such titles and the following lot has even more.