Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 116 1 Oct 2019
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Mopsius
Tetrachalkous circa 350, Æ 7.86 g. Laureate head of Zeus three-quarters r.; in r. field, thunderbolt. Rev. ΜΟΨΕΙ – ΩΝ Mopsus standing facing, head r., raising club and fighting centaur rearing l. McClean 4648. Rogers 412. BCD Thessaly I, 1210 (this coin). BCD Thessaly II, 484.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, possibly the finest specimen
known. A very interesting portrait of fine style, brown tone, minor areas of
weakness, otherwise good very fine / about extremely fine
Ex Nomos sale 4, BCD, 1210.
Mopsius was a settlement in the Vale of Tempe named after the Lapith seer, Mopsos. He was famous in Greek mythology for his ability to understand the speech of birds and the knowledge of augury granted to him by Apollo. Mopsos participated in the battle between the Lapiths and Centaurs that broke out at the marriage feast of Peirithoos- a conflict symbolizing the struggle and ultimate triumph of civilized (i.e. Greek) culture over barbarism. The involvement of Mopsos in the fighting is advertised on this very rare bronze coin through the reverse type featuring a Lapith clubbing a rearing Centaur. The type is notable for its similarity to the famous depictions of Lapiths and Centaurs in conflict on the sculptured metopes of the Parthenon. Mopsos later joined the Thessalian hero Jason and sailed as an Argonaut on the quest to bring back the Golden Fleece. Unfortunately, when the Argo was stranded in Libya, Mopsos was killed by the bite of a viper spawned by the blood of the slain Medusa. Its venom was so deadly and powerful that even the sorcery of Medea was unable to save the Lapith seer from death.
Tetrachalkous circa 350, Æ 7.86 g. Laureate head of Zeus three-quarters r.; in r. field, thunderbolt. Rev. ΜΟΨΕΙ – ΩΝ Mopsus standing facing, head r., raising club and fighting centaur rearing l. McClean 4648. Rogers 412. BCD Thessaly I, 1210 (this coin). BCD Thessaly II, 484.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, possibly the finest specimen
known. A very interesting portrait of fine style, brown tone, minor areas of
weakness, otherwise good very fine / about extremely fine
Ex Nomos sale 4, BCD, 1210.
Mopsius was a settlement in the Vale of Tempe named after the Lapith seer, Mopsos. He was famous in Greek mythology for his ability to understand the speech of birds and the knowledge of augury granted to him by Apollo. Mopsos participated in the battle between the Lapiths and Centaurs that broke out at the marriage feast of Peirithoos- a conflict symbolizing the struggle and ultimate triumph of civilized (i.e. Greek) culture over barbarism. The involvement of Mopsos in the fighting is advertised on this very rare bronze coin through the reverse type featuring a Lapith clubbing a rearing Centaur. The type is notable for its similarity to the famous depictions of Lapiths and Centaurs in conflict on the sculptured metopes of the Parthenon. Mopsos later joined the Thessalian hero Jason and sailed as an Argonaut on the quest to bring back the Golden Fleece. Unfortunately, when the Argo was stranded in Libya, Mopsos was killed by the bite of a viper spawned by the blood of the slain Medusa. Its venom was so deadly and powerful that even the sorcery of Medea was unable to save the Lapith seer from death.