Theseus and the Rock at Troezen

389, Lot: 441. Estimate $200. Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ATTICA, Athens. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Circa AD 264-167. Æ (21mm, 4.54 g, 12h). Helmeted head of Athena right / Theseus right, raising rock at Troezen. Kroll 371; Svoronos pl. 95, 33. Good Fine, brown surfaces. Rare.

From the David Wray Collection.

The great Athenian hero Theseus had two fathers as his mother, Aethra of Troezen, was doubly impregnated by Aegeus, husband of Aethra and king of Athens, and Poseidon, god of the sea. Aegeus left Aethra in Troezen to raise Theseus, but before departing for Athens the king placed his sword and sandals beneath an enormous stone. Upon reaching maturity, Theseus was to attempt to roll away the stone and, if successful, would become heir to his father. The half-divine Theseus easily accomplished this task and began his adventurous journey to Athens.