Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 951. Estimate $20000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $15000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CORINTHIA, Corinth. Antinoüs, favorite of Hadrian. Died 130 AD. Æ 41mm (40.31 gm, 5h). Hostilius Marcellus, priest. OCTILIOC MARKELLOC O IEPEVC TOV ANTINOOV, bare-headed and draped bust right / KORIN-QIOIC ANEQHKE, Bellerophon standing facing, head left, restraining rearing Pegasus, and holding large round shield. Cf. Blum p. 36, A (Hermes holding Pegasus); BCD -; SNG Copenhagen -; Münzen und Medaillen 47 (30 November-1 December 1972), lot 471 (same dies). Good VF, hard green patina, a few minor marks. Extremely rare; the second known specimen. The other known specimen, which was holed and plugged, was sold in 1997 for over $16,000 (M & M Numismatics I [7 December 1997], lot 165). ($20,000)

This coin is only the second known specimen of the type donated by the regional priest, Hostilius Marcellus, specifically for the people of Corinth. On a similar reverse, which the same magistrate ordered struck for the Koinon Acaiwn, Bellerophon has been replaced by Hermes (Blum p. 36, A); this new type became the basis for Cavino's Renaissance imitation (Classical Numismatic Group 67 [22 September 2004], lot 2076).

One of the most remarkable cults of the ancient world was that which grew up around the youth Antinoüs, a Bithynian boy who attracted the attention of the emperor Hadrian, who met him there during a visit. During the emperor’s tour of Egypt in October 130 AD, Antinoüs fell into the Nile and drowned, an event surrounded by dark suspicions whispering of suicide or ritual murder. The distraught Hadrian had his companion immediately deified, and the worship of Antinoüs became an important facet of the imperial cult. Many heroic busts, both in marble and bronze have been uncovered in wide-ranging parts of the empire, and the numerous temple remains, as well as coins and medallions demonstrate the great popularity of his cult.