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THRACE, Philippopolis. Geta. AD 209-211. Æ (30mm, 15.52 g, 6h). Struck AD 210-211. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front / Orpheus, wearing Phrygian cap, seated right on rocks, playing lyre; animals around: panther, heron, bear, stork, goat, lion, and ram. Varbanov, Philippopolis XVI 18.6 (this coin); Mouchmov, Philippopolis 443; Varbanov 1642. Brown patina, roughness and deposits, a bit off center. Good Fine. Rare.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 308 (7 August 2013), lot 223 (hammer $1,500).
A native of Thrace, Orpheus was renowned for his music and augural abilities. When his wife, Eurydice, was struck down by a serpent, Orpheus traveled to Hades to win her release. When his attempt ultimately proved unsuccessful, since he forgot the god’s command not to look on his wife’s shade until they had reached the upper world, Orpheus returned to Thrace. According to Ovid (Metamorphoses XI), it was there that he was attacked by a band of Maenads and torn to pieces. The burial places of these pieces soon became shrines and a cult with mysteries developed. Practitioners followed the Orphikos bios, or way of life, which included celibacy and veganism.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 127 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 17-18 September 2024. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 17 September at 2 PM ET.
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