Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 70 7 May 2020
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Lesbos, Methymna Æ14. Circa 330-240 BC. Helmeted head of Athena right / Arion astride dolphin to right, holding kithara; M-[A]-Θ-[Y] around. Unpublished in the standard references. 2.75g, 15mm, 1h.
Good Very Fine. Of the greatest rarity; apparently unpublished in the standard references.
From a private UK collection.
Arion was a kithara player who attended a musical competition in Sicily, where he was victorious. On his return journey the sailors on Arion's ship planned to murder him and steal the rich prizes he had won. Arion was given the choices of suicide with proper burial on land, or being thrown into the deep. Playing his kithara to win time, Arion sang praise to Apollo, and his song attracted a number of dolphins to the ship. Thereupon, Arion cast himself into the sea, and was rescued by one of the dolphins and carried to land at the sanctuary of Poseidon at Cape Tainaron.
Good Very Fine. Of the greatest rarity; apparently unpublished in the standard references.
From a private UK collection.
Arion was a kithara player who attended a musical competition in Sicily, where he was victorious. On his return journey the sailors on Arion's ship planned to murder him and steal the rich prizes he had won. Arion was given the choices of suicide with proper burial on land, or being thrown into the deep. Playing his kithara to win time, Arion sang praise to Apollo, and his song attracted a number of dolphins to the ship. Thereupon, Arion cast himself into the sea, and was rescued by one of the dolphins and carried to land at the sanctuary of Poseidon at Cape Tainaron.