EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 29.45 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141).

Electronic Auction 460
Lot: 419. Estimated: $ 1 000

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 2 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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EGYPT, Alexandria. Antoninus Pius. AD 138-161. Æ Drachm (33mm, 29.45 g, 12h). Labors of Herakles series. Dated RY 4 (AD 140/141). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / The Labor of the Augean Stables – Herakles standing right, lion skin over left shoulder, attempting with both hands to turn rock outcropping from which water flows through a human-headed protome into a basin below; by his left knee, a muck rake set on edge of the basin; [TE] TAP TOV (date) around, L in center. Köln –; cf. Dattari (Savio) 2605 (RY 5?); K&G –; RPC IV.4 Online –; Voegtli Type 12r (unlisted for RY 4); Emmett 1539 (unlisted for RY 4). Brown patina with touches of red and green, roughness. Good Fine. Extremely rare. Unpublished in the major references for this regnal year.

For his Fifth Labor, Herakles was to muck out the stables of Augeas, king of Elis, in a single day. Eurystheus hoped that by doing this, the dirtiest of all the Labors, Herakles would be demeaned, and, as the stables had never been cleaned, the completion of the task would be impossible. However, Herakles succeeded by rerouting the rivers Alpheus and Peneus to wash out the filth. Augeas became irate because he had promised Herakles one-tenth of his cattle if the job was finished in one day. He refused to honor the agreement. As a result, Herakles slew Augeas; in his place, he installed Augeas’ son, Phyleus, as king because the boy had supported the hero.

Closing Date and Time: 29 January 2020 at 12:19:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.