Temple of Venus at Eryx

Triton XXII, Lot: 884. Estimate $3000. Sold for $3200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

C. Considius Nonianus. 56 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.88 g, 12h). Rome mint. Laureate and draped bust of Venus Erycina right, wearing stephane and earring; C • CONSIDI • NONIANI downward to left, S • C upward to right / Temple on summit of rocky mountain surrounded by wall with towers on each side and gate in center; ERVC above gate. Crawford 424/1; Sydenham 886; Considia 1; BMCRR Rome 3830; RBW 1522 (this coin). Superb EF, lustrous, struck slightly off center.

From the Alan J. Harlan Collection. Ex RBW Collection (Part II, Numismatica Ars Classica 63, 17 May 2012), lot 298; Hess-Divo 267 (20 May 1996), lot 166.

Describing Mt. Eryx and its temple complex, the Greek historian Polybius of Megalopolis writes: On its summit, which is flat, stands the temple of Venus Erycina, which is indisputably the first in wealth and general magnificence of all the Sicilian holy places. The city extends along the hill under the actual summit, the ascent to it being very long and steep on all sides. (World History, 1.55)