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MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 450-330 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (11mm, 2.76 g). Kerberos standing left on tunny left / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 103; Greenwell 141; Boston MFA 1539 = Warren 1570; SNG BN 244. A little off center on obverse. VF.
From the Siren Collection.
This rare type depicts Kerberos, the guardian of the entrance to the Underworld. It was the monstrous offspring of Echidna, the mother of all monsters, and Typhon, the deadliest monster of Greek mythology. Kerberos is the focus of the last of the Twelve Labors of Herakles and is also central to the story of Orpheus’s journey to the Underworld to retrieve his love Eurydike. While a well known part of Greek mythology, depictions of Kerberos in coinage are rare, found only on coins minted in this period by Epeiros, Cumae, and Kyzikos. Due to this rarity, the type serves as an incredibly beautiful example of an important subject of Greek mythology.
Closing Date and Time: 4 October 2023 at 10:56:20 ET.
All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.
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