Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 450-330 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (11.5mm, 2.67 g). Kerberos standing left on tunny left / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 103; Greenwell 141; Boston MFA 1539 = Warren 1570; SNG BN 244; SNG von Aulock 7300 = SNG Lockett 2691 = Pozzi 2191; BMC –; FSD –; Gulbenkian –; Jameson 2183; Rosen 484; Weber –. Some light marks, a couple of light scratches on reverse. Good VF.
From the Siren Collection.
This rare type depicts Kerberos, the guardian of the entrance to the Underworld. It was the monstrous offspring of Echidna, the mother of all monsters, and Typhon, the deadliest monster of Greek mythology. Kerberos is the focus of the last of the Twelve Labors of Herakles and is also central to the story of Orpheus's journey to the Underworld to retrieve his love Eurydike. While a well known part of Greek mythology, depictions of Kerberos in coinage are rare, found only on coins minted in this period by Epeiros, Cumae, and Kyzikos. Due to this rarity, the type serves as an incredibly beautiful example of an important subject of Greek mythology.
From the Siren Collection.
This rare type depicts Kerberos, the guardian of the entrance to the Underworld. It was the monstrous offspring of Echidna, the mother of all monsters, and Typhon, the deadliest monster of Greek mythology. Kerberos is the focus of the last of the Twelve Labors of Herakles and is also central to the story of Orpheus's journey to the Underworld to retrieve his love Eurydike. While a well known part of Greek mythology, depictions of Kerberos in coinage are rare, found only on coins minted in this period by Epeiros, Cumae, and Kyzikos. Due to this rarity, the type serves as an incredibly beautiful example of an important subject of Greek mythology.