Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1267. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $260. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

JUDAEA, Gaza. Hadrian. 117-138 CE. Æ 29mm (23.37 gm, 12h). Dated CY 197; Epidemia 8 (137 CE). Laureate and draped bust right / Artemis standing right, drawing arrow and holding bow, and Marnas standing left; Marnas sign between; all within distyle temple set on two-tiered base; Epidemia date, Marnas symbol, and CY date in exergue. Rosenberger II -; Hendin -; SNG ANS 922 var. (Marnas sign in exergue only). Good VF, rough dark green patina. ($200)

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XVII (27 June 1986), lot 828; Numismatic Fine Arts XII (23-24 March 1983), lot 107.

Hadrian visited Gaza more than once, and it was upon such a visit in 130 AD that an additional reckoning date, that of the epidhmia, or imperial visit. During one such visit, the great temple of Zeus-Marnas may have been founded, as it is first represented on the coins of Hadrian himself. The presence of the heifer, associated in classical mythology with Io, one of Zeus' many lovers and the distant ancestress of Hercules, may refer to an incarnation of the Egyptian goddess Hathor, whom the ancient Philistines, founders of the city, worshipped.