Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 487 10 Mar 2021
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JUDAEA, Gaza. Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ (23mm, 9.28 g, 12h). Dated CY 245(?) (184/5 CE). Laureate head right / Io standing right, clasping hands with Tyche standing left, holding cornucopia; symbol of Marnas between, ЄM[C] (date) in exergue. Rosenberger 126; Sofaer 155. Dark green patina with some light earthen highlights/deposits. Good VF. Attractive. Rare.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 242 (13 October 2010), lot 107; Triton VI (14 January 2003), lot 580 .
The connection of the myth of Io with Gaza is extremely tenuous, but it must have been of significance to the inhabitants; she is both named on the coinage and appears in her transformed state as a heifer. Io of Argos was transformed into a heifer by her lover Zeus, in order to hide her from his suspicious wife Hera. Hera was not deceived, and sent a gadfly to hound Io to the ends of the earth. She eventually ended up in Egypt, where her original form was restored. Io became associated with the Egyptian cow-goddess Hathor, whose temples have been found in Philistine territory. Herodotos also relates a rationalization of the myth, with Io being a Greek princess kidnapped by Phoenicians (Philistines?). There is, presumably, somewhere in ancient Gaza, a temple of Hathor-Io waiting to be found.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 242 (13 October 2010), lot 107; Triton VI (14 January 2003), lot 580 .
The connection of the myth of Io with Gaza is extremely tenuous, but it must have been of significance to the inhabitants; she is both named on the coinage and appears in her transformed state as a heifer. Io of Argos was transformed into a heifer by her lover Zeus, in order to hide her from his suspicious wife Hera. Hera was not deceived, and sent a gadfly to hound Io to the ends of the earth. She eventually ended up in Egypt, where her original form was restored. Io became associated with the Egyptian cow-goddess Hathor, whose temples have been found in Philistine territory. Herodotos also relates a rationalization of the myth, with Io being a Greek princess kidnapped by Phoenicians (Philistines?). There is, presumably, somewhere in ancient Gaza, a temple of Hathor-Io waiting to be found.