Leda & the Swan

319, Lot: 214. Estimate $75. Sold for $160. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BITHYNIA, Nicomedia. Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ (18mm, 4.43 g, 2h). Radiate and draped bust right / Leda standing facing, head right, her drapery being pulled at by swan. RG 316; SNG von Aulock –; SNG Copenhagen –. Fine, brown and green patina, area of weak strike, a few marks. Rare and interesting mythological type.

Leda was the the wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta. Zeus copulated with Leda in the form of a swan, with Leda subsequently giving birth to his children Helen and Polydeuce.