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CRETE, Phaistos. Circa 300-270 BC. AR Stater (25mm, 11.47 g, 11h). Herakles, nude but for lion skin draped over left arm, standing left, his left hand extended and holding one head of the Hydra, which he strikes at with club held aloft in his right hand; ΦAIΣTIΩ[N] to right / Bull standing left. Svoronos, Numismatique 53 (same dies as illustration); Le Rider, Crétoises, pl. XXIII, 19–20 (same dies); SNG Lockett 2592 (same obv. die); BMC 13; Mionnet II p. 291, 255. Lightly toned, typical die wear, a few flan flaws on reverse. Good VF. Rare.
The Lernaean Hydra, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, was said to be the sibling of the Nemean Lion, the Chimaera, and Cerberus. Inhabiting the swamp near Lake Lerna in the Argolid, the creature possessed numerous mortal and one immortal head on its single body; should one head be removed, two more would grow in its place. When Herakles reached the swamp where the Hydra dwelt, he drew it out of its lair near the spring of Amymone. Thereupon, wielding a harvesting sickle, he attempted to decapitate the creature. When this proved unsuccessful, because of the Hydra’s regenerative ability, Herakles enlisted the assistance of his nephew Iolaus, who devised a plan: once Herakles had cut off one of the creature’s heads, Iolaus would cauterize the stump with a burning firebrand. The plan succeeded, and the Hydra was destroyed. Herakles placed its one immortal head under a large rock on the sacred way between Lerna and Elaius and dipped his arrows in its poisonous blood.
The final winners of all Triton XXVIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2025.
Triton XXVIII – Session One – Lot 1–287 will be held Tuesday morning, 14 January 2025 beginning at 9:00 AM 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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