The Nymphaeum at Pella

312, Lot: 153. Estimate $1500. Sold for $7250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Decapolis. Pella. Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ (29mm, 20.27 g, 6h). Dated CY 282 (AD 219/20). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Deity standing within lower central columns of ornate, two-storied nymphaeum; B-ΠC (date) across attic. Spijkerman 17 corr.; Rosenberger 14 var.; Sofaer –; SNG ANS –. VF, hard green patina under a layer of earthen deposits. Rare and impressive architectural type.

Spijkerman illustrated two specimens for his no. 17, which he dated to civic year 283, the first being the Rosenberger coin, which does not have a very clear date but which was also given by the collector to year 283. The second coin illustrated in Spijkerman appears to bear the date 282, as the current coin.