CILICIA, Corycus. Valerian I. AD 253-260. Æ (29mm, 12.88 g, 5h). Themian Games issue. Near VF.

Electronic Auction 576
Lot: 408.
Closing Date: Dec 4 2024 10:00 ET

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Estimate: $ 100

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CILICIA, Corycus. Valerian I. AD 253-260. Æ (29mm, 12.88 g, 5h). Themian Games issue. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front / Prize table, legs decorated with lion’s heads and feet, holding agonistic prize crown containing caduceus, palm frond, and apluster, inscribed ΘЄΜΙΑ and decorated with six apples; to right, Dionysus standing left, holding bunch of grapes and filleted thyrsus; between, panther standing left, head right. RPC X Online 60499; SNG BN 1122-25 var. (rev. legend arrangement); SNG Levante 819-20 var. (same). Dark green-brown patina, earthen encrustations, cleaning scratches, slight double strike on reverse. Near VF.

From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.), purchased from Lucian Birkler, October 1992.

The presiding deity of the Themian games was the goddess Themis (Θέμις), personification of Justice and Order, who had been the patron of the oracle of Delphi before Apollo. Thema (θέμα) 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.

Closing Date and Time: 4 December 2024 at 12:15:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.