EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.84 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 (AD 142/3). Good Fine.

Electronic Auction 587
Lot: 559. Estimated: $ 1 500

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 4 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (34mm, 23.84 g, 12h). Dated RY 6 (AD 142/3). Laureate head right / Herakles and the Centaur Pholos: Herakles seated slightly right upon a rock that is draped with his lion’s skin, his club leans against the rock, holding a lyre with his left hand; with his right hand, Herakles is grasping the right arm of the Centaur Pholos, who is standing right, forepart only, clad in goat’s skin; to the right, an attendant facing, head left, drawing wine from a krater placed upon a rock; above, a tree branch and ϛ (date); L in exergue. Köln 1428 var. (obv. legend); Dattari (Savio) 8507; K&G 35.192 var. (same); RPC IV.4 621; Emmett 1564.6 (R5). Green patina with red, some roughness. Good Fine. Very rare.

Herakles, on his way to capture the Erymanthian boar, was entertained by the Centaur Pholos, who offered Herakles wine from the centaur’s communal wine jar. This angered the other centaurs and they attacked Herakles while Pholos hid in terror. In Herakles’ attempt to defeat the centaurs, an arrow inadvertently struck the Centaur Chiron, Herakles’ old friend and tutor. Herakles tried to help Chiron, but to no avail as the wound was incurable. The Alexandrian coin type portrays Herakles, holding a lyre, and clasping the arm of Pholos as the two are conversing; to the right, an attendant is drawing wine from the communal jar.

Closing Date and Time: 21 May 2025 at 13:06:00 ET.

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