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CORINTHIA, Corinth. Lucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ (27mm, 10.81 g, 4h). Laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front / Melikertes-Palaimon riding on dolphin left, within pine wreath. BCD Korinth 752 (same dies); RPC IV.1 5177.8 (this coin); NCP p. 11, 11. Green patina, light roughness. EF. Very rare.
Ex Group CEM (Classical Numismatic Group 88, 14 September 2011), lot 819; David Simpson Collection (Triton V, 15 January 2002), lot 1706; Virgil Brand Collection (Part 7, Sotheby's, 25 October 1984), lot 349.
The Corinthians credited their king Sisyphos with founding the Isthmian Games at the funeral of the boy-hero Melikertes-Palaimon at Isthmia. Adjacent to the early sanctuary of Poseidon was the Palamaion, an extensive cult area with sacrificial pits and a circular temple of Hadrianic date, which was transformed during the joint reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. According to Pausanias (I, 70-72 and III, 4-16), within the temple was a statue of Melikertes-Palaimon riding on a dolphin. Athamas, the son of Aiolos and king of Orchomenos in Boeotia, was driven mad by Hera because he had sheltered Dionysos. After he killed his son Learchos, he pursued Ino into the sea with their son Melikertes, where both were transformed into marine deities. Ino became Leukothea, and Melikertes changed to Palaimon and a dolphin carried his body ashore on the Sardonic Gulf.
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.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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