Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 1026. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $1650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THRACE, Philippopolis. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Æ Medallion - 40mm (37.08 gm). Laureate bust left with aegis, seen from behind / Discobolos standing left, holding three balls and a discus. SNG Copenhagen 780 (same dies); BMC Thrace pg. 165, 36. VF, dark green patina, some smoothing. Rare. ($1500)

Of all the ancient buildings of Philippopolis, only the athletic stadium remains with its monumental entrance and a track of a little more than a stade in length (180 metres), with a capacity of about 30,000 people. Herodian mentions the restoration of the Pythian games in the cities of Thrace at the behest of Caracalla in honour and memory of Alexander the Great. This coin is part of a series of athletic types which commemorate this restoration by the provincial assembly of the Thracians, and include fight scenes, gladiators, a discobolos, gymnasts exercising and prizes.