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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

The Themian Games

436, Lot: 334. Estimate $400.
Sold for $240. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Corycus. Valerian I. AD 253-260. Æ (31mm, 15.91 g, 6h). AV K Π ΛIK OVAΛЄPIAN-OC, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / KΩPV-KIΩ-TΩN AV NAVA[PXIC], caduceus, palm frond, and aplustre within agonistic crown inscribed ΘЄΜΙΑ and set upon table; to right, Dionysus standing left, holding grape bunch and thyrsus; between, panther seated left; wine pitcher below temple. SNG France 1122-5 var. (arrangement of rev. legend, no amphora); SNG Levante 819 var. (same); Ziegler 554-6. VF, green patina. Rare variety with pitcher.


The presiding deity of the Themian Games was the goddess Themis (Θέμις), personification of Justice and Order, who had been the patron of the oracle of Delphi before Apollo. Thema (θέμα) also means a deposit, usually of money, and the Themian games were unusual in having cash prizes for the winners, unlike the more typical awards of wreaths, wine, oil, or celery.