131, Lot: 149. Estimate $150. Sold for $180. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Corycus. Valerian I. 253-260 AD. Æ 8 Assaria - 33mm (22.70 g). Radiate and cuirassed bust right / Dionysus standing left, holding kantharos and thyrsos with panther at feet, next to him a prize crown with caduceus, palm, and aplustre set on tripod, QEMIC on crown. SNG Levante 819; SNG France 1123. VF, dark grey-green patina.

The presiding deity of the Themian games was the goddess Themis, personification of Justice and Order, who had been the patron of the oracle of Delphi before Apollo. Qema also means a deposit, usually of money, and the Themian games were unusual in having cash prizes for the winners, unlike the more typical awards of wreaths, wine, oil, or celery.