Two Rare League of Thirteen Cities Medallions

CNG 93, Lot: 789. Estimate $1500. Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, League of Thirteen Cities. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Medallion (42mm, 55.85 g, 12h). Gillespie Type I, Group 1. Marcus Claudius Fronto, asiarch and high priest of the Thirteen Cities. Laureate and draped bust left / Hades dragging away protesting Persephone in quadriga right; overturned basket of flowers below; above, Eros flying right, holding wedding torch. RPC Online 948; Gillespie 1-5; SNG von Aulock 7812. Good Fine, earthen black-green patina. Rare.

The League of Thirteen Cities of Ionia, like other provincial koina, was a federated commonwealth, whose members were allied to one another around a central administrative figure. Often, such leagues were rooted in political and defensive needs, or as in the case of the League of Thirteen Cities of Ionia, an amphictiony. This league can trace its origins back to mid-7th century BC, when it was formed following the Meliac War. Composed of the twelve Ionic Greek poleis, it was known as the Panionic League. After 650 BC, Smyrna joined, making the number of cities thirteen – an arrangement which remained until its final dissolution in the Roman period. As the League was amphictionc, its administration centered around a particular regional cult center; the League’s officer also acted as high priest of the temple. Following the absorption of Ionia into the Province of Asia under the Romans, the Asiarch also served as League’s main officer and high priest of the temple.