Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 53 7 Feb 2019
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Gordian III Æ38 of Heraclea Pontica, Bithynia. AD 238-244. Labours of Hercules type. M [ANT Γ]OPΔIANOC AYΓ, laureate and cuirassed bust right, with drapery on far shoulder / ΗΡΑΚΛΕΩΤΑΝ MATPOC AΠΟIKΩN ΠOΛIΩN, nude Herakles standing left, raising club high over his shoulder, fighting the Lernean Hydra; bow and quiver to right. Waddington, RG 217; Voegtli 2j; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -; Asia Minor Coins online #5273. 17.05g, 38mm, 6h.
Good Very Fine, some minor smoothing. An interesting reverse type in fine style. Rare.
From a private UK collection.
The reverse of this coin depicts the second of Hercules' Twelve Labours set by Eurystheos, the agent of Hera. He was tasked with slaying the ancient serpent-like monster that resided in the lake of Lerna in the Argolid, which guarded an underwater entrance to the underworld.
Upon cutting off each of the Hydra's heads however, Hercules found that two more would grow back in its place, an expression of the hopelessness of such a struggle for any but the hero. Realising that he could not defeat the Hydra in this way, Hercules called on his nephew Iolaos for help. Iolaos then came upon the idea (possibly inspired by Athena) of using a firebrand to cauterize the stumps after each decapitation. When Hera saw that Hercules was gaining the upper hand she sent a large crab to distract the hero, but he crushed it underfoot. He cut off the last and strongest of the Hydra's heads with a golden sword given to him by Athena, and so completed his task. Hera, upset that Hercules had slain the beast she raised to kill him, placed it in the vault of the heavens as the constellation Hydra, and she turned the crab into the constellation Cancer.
Good Very Fine, some minor smoothing. An interesting reverse type in fine style. Rare.
From a private UK collection.
The reverse of this coin depicts the second of Hercules' Twelve Labours set by Eurystheos, the agent of Hera. He was tasked with slaying the ancient serpent-like monster that resided in the lake of Lerna in the Argolid, which guarded an underwater entrance to the underworld.
Upon cutting off each of the Hydra's heads however, Hercules found that two more would grow back in its place, an expression of the hopelessness of such a struggle for any but the hero. Realising that he could not defeat the Hydra in this way, Hercules called on his nephew Iolaos for help. Iolaos then came upon the idea (possibly inspired by Athena) of using a firebrand to cauterize the stumps after each decapitation. When Hera saw that Hercules was gaining the upper hand she sent a large crab to distract the hero, but he crushed it underfoot. He cut off the last and strongest of the Hydra's heads with a golden sword given to him by Athena, and so completed his task. Hera, upset that Hercules had slain the beast she raised to kill him, placed it in the vault of the heavens as the constellation Hydra, and she turned the crab into the constellation Cancer.