LYDIA, Hyrcanis. Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ (38mm, 25.26 g, 5h). L. Vettios Antoneinos, strategos. Struck circa AD 180-182. Fine.

Triton XXVII – Session 5
Lot: 5429. Estimated: $ 250

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 350. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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LYDIA, Hyrcanis. Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ (38mm, 25.26 g, 5h). L. Vettios Antoneinos, strategos. Struck circa AD 180-182. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front; c/m: laureate bust right within circular incuse / The Abduction of Persephone: Hades standing in galloping quadriga right, head left, carrying struggling Persephone; to left, Athena standing right, holding spear downwards; above horses, Eros flying right, holding torch; below horses, serpent right and overturned flower basket. Hochard 1000 (D14/R21); Kurth 50; RPC IV.2 1293.11 (this coin). For c/m: Howgego 91. Brown patina, porosity. Fine. Rare.

From the W. Toliver Besson Collection. Ex Berk BBS 217 (30 November 2021), lot 397.

Hades fell in love with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, and asked Zeus for permission to marry her. Fearing to offend his eldest brother by a downright refusal but also knowing that Demeter would not forgive him if Persephone were committed to the underworld, Zeus diplomatically answered that he could neither give nor withhold his consent. This act emboldened Hades to abduct Persephone as she was picking flowers in a meadow and carry her away in his horse-drawn chariot to the underworld.

Closing Date and Time: 17 January 2024 at 12:22:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer’s fee.