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SOUTHERN ASIA MINOR or CYPRUS, Uncertain. Circa 500-450 BC. AR Stater (18mm, 8.98 g, 10h). Herakles, nude, standing right, [bow hanging from arm], with club held overhead preparing to strike Amazon, nude but for her helmet, fallen to right; I (Aramaic zayin?) to left / Bull standing right in dotted square within incuse square. CNG E-340, lot 193 (same obv. die); Künker 376, lot 4786 = Roma XVI, lot 334 (same obv. die); Nomos 19, lot 182 (same obv. die); Nomos Obolos 13, lot 408 (same obv. die); otherwise, unpublished in the standard references. Toned, granular surfaces, die break on obverse. Near VF. Extremely rare.
At the request of Admete, Eurystheus’ daughter, Herakles as his Ninth Labor went to seize the golden girdle of Hippolyte, a garment that gave power and supremacy to the wearer. The daughter of Otrera and the god Ares, Hippolyte was the queen of the Amazons, an all-female race who lived near the slopes of the Caucasus. To carry off this labor, Herakles organized an expedition, which included the Athenian hero Theseus. Upon the heroes’ arrival, the Amazon women greeted them warmly, while Hippolyte offered the girdle as a gift. Hera, on hearing this, took the form of an Amazon, spreading a rumor that Herakles had come to steal away their queen, and take her back with him to Greece. The female warriors, in protection of their queen, began fighting the heroes. In the melee that followed, Herakles slew Hippolyte, thinking she had betrayed him. Winning the battle, Herakles headed back for Mycenae. On the way, he saved the life of Hesione, daughter of Laomedon, king of Troy. Laomedon, however, refused to reward the hero for his service. In retribution, Herakles slew the king and most of his sons.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.
CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session Two – Lot 309-594 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM 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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