THRACE. Philippopolis. Faustina Junior, Augusta, 147-175. Triassarion (Bronze, 25 mm, 9.69 g, 7 h). ΦΑΥCTEINA CEBACTH Draped bust of Faustina to right. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΕΙTΩΝ Nude Apollo standing right, resting his left hand on column and pointing, and holding arrow in right hand; leaning against column, his bow. Moushmov, Philippopolis 120 corr. RPC IV.1 Online temp. 7477 corr. Varbanov 861 corr. (all with column described as a tree trunk, and the bow as a lizard). Varbanov, Philippopolis, IX.1.1.2. Extremely rare - perhaps the third known example, and by far the nicest. Green patina and of good style. Very fine.
From the Philippopolis Collection.
The two examples cited by the RPC, specimens in Sofia and Vienna, are described as worn. The Vienna examples, which is illustrated, is not sufficiently clear to identify the reverse type properly. Here we have a clear example that leaves no doubt about the type.