Sale: CNG 70, Lot: 300. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 September 2005.  Sold For $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHRYGIA, Laodikeia. 2nd century AD. Æ Medallion (36mm, 29.95, 12h). P. Claudius Attalus, magistrate. Diademed and draped bust of Demos Laodikeon right / P KL ATTALOC A-NEQHKE LAODIKEWN, Serapis seated left, holding sceptre and extending hand to Kerberos seated left at feet. Imhoof-Blumer p. 270, 36; BMC Phrygia -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; cf. Triton VIII (11-12 January 2005), lot 773 (same dies). VF, variegated olive and dark green patina, hint of smoothing in fields. Extremely rare. ($1500)

Serapis was an Egyptian god created by Ptolemy I and in art is represented with characteristics belonging to various gods. The new god was linked especially closely with Hades, which explains why Serapis is sometimes accompanied by Kerberos.