CNG 102, Lot: 725. Estimate $2000. Sold for $5100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARCADIA, Mantinea. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ Diassarion (27mm, 12.19 g, 11h). Financed by Vetourios and possibly struck AD 134. BЄ-TOYPIOC, bareheaded bust right, slight drapery, seen from behind / TOIC ARKACI, horse to right. Blum 6; BCD Peloponessos 1495 = RPC III 330/10 (this coin). Near VF, green patina. Fine style portrait. Very rare.

From the estate of Thomas Bentley Cederlind. Ex Cederlind 141 (19 December 2006), no. 139; BCD Collection (LHS 96, 8 May 2006), lot 1495; Leu 28 (5 May 1981), lot 445.

Antinoüs was by birth from Bithynium beyond the river Sangarius, and the Bithynians are by descent Arcadians of Mantinea. For this reason, the emperor established his worship in Mantinea also; mystic rites are celebrated in his honor each year, and games every four years (Pausanias VIII.9.7).

Part of a series of commemorative medallions/coins struck in five denominations, no doubt in association with one of the events described by Pausanias. These coins feature a common reverse type of a horse, symbol of Poseidon Hippios, patron deity of Mantinea (where they would have been used, if not actually struck). The legends on the pieces simply tell us that they were dedicated to the Arcadians by a certain Vetourios.