Cilicia, Tarsos Æ24. Circa 164-27 BC. Turreted head of Tyche right; monogram behind / Pyre of Sandan: Sandan atop back of horned lion-griffin standing to right between two omphaloi; all on a garlanded altar beneath a pyramidal baldacchino surmounted by an eagle; TΑΡΣΕΩΝ to right, two monograms to left. Cf. SNG France 1307-9 (controls); cf. SNG Levante 933-8 (same); CNG e203, lot 175. 6.23g, 24mm, 12h.
Very Fine. Very Rare.
Acquired from Savoca Numismatik GmbH, Munich.
Sandan was the Hittite lion god, represented in association with a horned lion, and often residing inside a pyre surmounted by an eagle. Sandan was often associated with the Greek god Herakles. In ceremonies, an image of the god was placed inside a pyre and was set on fire.