Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 760. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MYSIA, Pergamum. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Æ Medallion (45mm, 47.49 gm, 6h). M. Caerelius Attalus, magistrate. AVT[O] KPAT K [MAP]KOC AVP ANT[WNEINOC], laureate and cuirassed bust right, cuirass decorated with aegis; countermark: wreath / EPI CTPA M [KAIPE]L ATTALOU PERGAM[HNWN] PRO TWN G [NEOKOR]WN, Caracalla standing left, holding sceptre in left hand, raising right hand toward serpent coiled around tree; a small figure of Telesphorus on basis between. SNG France -; cf. BMC Mysia pg. 156, 326 (expanded legends); SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; Howgego 480 for countermark. Fine, dark brown patina with a few earthen patches. ($1000)

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection.

Caracalla visited the shrine of Asclepius at Pergamon on his way to the Parthian wars in 214-215 AD. Tormented by nightmares and various psycho-physical ailments brought on by his brutal behavior toward his family and subjects, Caracalla hoped for surcease from the healing god. Although the results of his adorations were ambivalent, his visit brought forth a torrent of huge medallic bronzes from the Pergamene mint, most showing the emperor presenting himself to Asclepius or his familiars, a serpent or Telesphorus.