Achilles and the Centaur Chiron
Ex Dattari Collection
EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (32mm, 20.98 g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (AD 141/142). [Illegible legend], laureate head right / Achilles and the Centaur Chiron: the Centaur Chiron standing right, right foreleg raised, head left with his upper human torso turned facing, holding a helmet in his left hand, his right arm leading the young Achilles; Achilles is standing right, holding a spear with his right hand and a shield with his left; [L] Є (date) to either side. Köln 1873 var. (Achilles holding spear in raised position, and placement of date); Dattari (Savio) 8370 (this coin) = RPC IV Online 16249; K&G –; Emmett 1485.5 (R5). Fair, brown surfaces. Extremely rare.
Ex Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 8370.
One of the great rarities of the Antoninus Pius mythological series from the Alexandria mint, and only the second that this cataloguer can recall being offered for sale, with the first being the Wetterstrom example (CNA XIII, lot 218). The Wetterstrom coin graded VF, and was one of the highlights of the 1990 auction, realizing $3250 on the hammer. Dattari owned three examples, including this piece (his nos. 2505, 8369, and 8370), and all three are equally worn. There are also examples in the Köln (cited above) and Paris collections (Mionnet 1949). Emmett cited two examples: the Wetterstrom coin and possibly an example in the ANS collection (1944.100.60963), but the ANS coin is actually ”Hercules with the Centaur Pholos” (cf. Köln 1428).
“The wise and benevolent centaur Chiron, as tutor and guide, was given the custody of the sons of many ancient princes” and heroes (including Hercules). Another such pupil was Achilles, of Trojan War fame, who spent his formative years with Chiron. The reverse type on the present coin depicts Chiron leading the young Achilles, who carries a spear and shield, while Chiron holds his helmet.
