Triton XVIII, Lot: 884. Estimate $750. Sold for $1500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Aegeae. Hadrian. AD 117-138. AR Tridrachm (23.5mm, 9.49 g, 12h). Dated CY 164 (AD 117/8). AYTOKP KAIC TPAIANOC AΔPIANOC CЄB, laureate bust of Hadrian right, slight drapery / AIΓЄAIΩN ЄTOYC ΔΞP (date), diademed head of Alexander the Great right; below, goat kneeling left, head right. Prieur 715A (this coin); SNG Levante –; SNG Levante Supp. –; SNG France 2326. VF, toned, light porosity. Rare.

From the Edoardo Levante Collection.

Some question has arisen regarding the identification of the portrait on the reverse of this issue. Prieur identified it as Perseus, the hero who slew Medusa and rescued the princess Andromeda. SNG France (cataloged by Levante) opted instead for Alexander the Great. While some coins from this region do use the portrait of Perseus as a type, his identifying symbols – the gorgoneion, the winged helmet, and especially the harpa – are always included as identifying elements. The diademed head, on the other hand, is indicative of a Hellenistic ruler. It is possible that since Cilician Aegeae was the namesake of the old Macedonian capital (see reverse legend on lot 886 below), the inclusion of Alexander’s portrait made an attractive reference to the Hellenistic past. At the same time, given that these coins were struck on behalf of the philhellenic Hadrian, the connection between the emperor and the great Macedonian king would not have been missed.