Artemide Aste s.r.l.
Auction LIII 2-3 May 2020
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Antinous, favorite of Hadrian (died 130 AD). AE 25 mm. Mallus mint, Cilicia. D/ ANTINOON HPΩA. Bare-headed heroic bust right. R/ MAΛΛΩTΩN. Tripod with censer; serpent entwined around legs. RPC III 3327.2; cf. Triton VII, 2004, 730. SNG Levante-; BMC-; SNG France-; SNG Cop.-; SNG von Aulock.-. AE. g. 13.55 mm. 25.00 RRRR. Of the greatest rarity, apparently fewer than five specimens known. Brown patina, with green hues. About VF.
This obverse legend is otherwise only known from Delphi (cf. Blum 4), where it is completed as Antinoon Hrwa Propulaion, "Antinoüs hero, before the gateway ", by extension to propolou, "one who serves a god ". Antinoüs' status as a favorite of the emperor, and his early, tragic death made him a prime intermediary between mortals and the gods.
This obverse legend is otherwise only known from Delphi (cf. Blum 4), where it is completed as Antinoon Hrwa Propulaion, "Antinoüs hero, before the gateway ", by extension to propolou, "one who serves a god ". Antinoüs' status as a favorite of the emperor, and his early, tragic death made him a prime intermediary between mortals and the gods.