Naville Numismatics Ltd.
Auction 35 29 Oct 2017
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Egypt, Alexandria. Dattari. Antoninus Pius, 138-161 Drachm circa 154-155 (year 18), Æ 33mm., 18.19g. Laureate head r. Rev. Lycurgus r., knee on vine-stump, arms pulled behind by vines (?), head raised; between legs, axe(?); in field, LIH. RPC Online 13988 (this coin cited). Dattari-Savio Pl. 157, 8842 (this coin).
Extremely rare and interesting. Only three specimens cited in RPC. Brown tone, Good Fine.
From the Dattari collection.
When Dionysus arrived in Thrace, Lycurgus, king of the Edoni of Thrace, imprisoned his followers and killed Dionysus' nurse Ambrosia with an axe; fearing for their safety, the God and his peers were forced to hide in the cave of Thetis, the Sea Nymph, to seek shelter. As a punishment for his actions, Dionysus made Lycurgus insane. Driven to madness, he killed his son believing he was cutting a vine, which is sacred to the God. As a consequence ,the land of Thrace was declared no longer fertile by Dionysus until Lycurgus paid with his life. Moreover, because he denied that Dionysus was a god, he was wrapped in vines and later sent to Hades for the worst punishment possible.
Extremely rare and interesting. Only three specimens cited in RPC. Brown tone, Good Fine.
From the Dattari collection.
When Dionysus arrived in Thrace, Lycurgus, king of the Edoni of Thrace, imprisoned his followers and killed Dionysus' nurse Ambrosia with an axe; fearing for their safety, the God and his peers were forced to hide in the cave of Thetis, the Sea Nymph, to seek shelter. As a punishment for his actions, Dionysus made Lycurgus insane. Driven to madness, he killed his son believing he was cutting a vine, which is sacred to the God. As a consequence ,the land of Thrace was declared no longer fertile by Dionysus until Lycurgus paid with his life. Moreover, because he denied that Dionysus was a god, he was wrapped in vines and later sent to Hades for the worst punishment possible.