Triton XVIII, Lot: 880. Estimate $1000. Sold for $3750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Smyrna. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ Medallion (37mm, 40.13 g, 12h). M. Antonius Polemon, strategos. [AN]TINOOC HPΩC, bare head right / ΠOΛЄMΩN ANЄΘ HK[Є C]MVP[N]AIO[C], prow right. Klose Class XLVI, Series A, Group d, – (V7/R– [unlisted rev. die]); Blum 3; Vagi 1421. Good Fine, brown patina, minor roughness.

From the R.A.M. Collection.

One of the most remarkable cults of the ancient world was that which grew up around the youth Antinoüs, a boy from Claudiopolis in Bithynia who attracted the attention of the emperor Hadrian. While touring with the emperor in Egypt in October AD 130, Antinoüs fell into the Nile and drowned, an event surrounded by dark suspicions of suicide or ritual murder. The distraught Hadrian had his companion deified and the worship of Antinoüs became an important facet of the imperial cult.