Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 725. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $2400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Smyrna. Antinoüs, favorite of Hadrian. Died 130 AD. Æ Medallion (39mm, 37.52 gm, 12h). Polemon, magistrate. ANTINOOC HRWC, bare head left / POLEMWN ANEQH KE CMVP NAIOIC, bull standing right. Blum pg. 40, 8-11; BMC Ionia pg. 278, 339; cf. SNG Copenhagen 1367 (obverse)/1366 (reverse); SNG von Aulock -. Fair, tan patina. Iron loop tapped into edge. ($500)

From the David A. Dowdy Collection. Ex Waddell I (December 1982), lot 217.

This extensively worn medallion was obviously worn as an amulet for many years by a devoted follower of the cult of Antinoüs. Extremely rare to find an iron attachment this well preserved on an ancient artifact.

See lot 715 for a note on the life and coinage of Antinoüs.