Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 516 18 May 2022
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Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. T. Carisius. 46 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.36 g, 3h). Rome mint. Head of Sibyl Herophile right / Sphinx seated right. Crawford 464/1; CRI 69; Sydenham 983b; Carisia 11a; RBW 1613. Light iridescent tone, faint hairlines, reverse slightly off center. Good VF.
From the Dean Kinzer Collection. Ex Demetrios Armounta Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 325, 23 April 2014), lot 539; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 245 (1 December 2010), lot 300.
This evocative type demonstrates that Roman moneyers were quite familiar with the legends and coin types of obscure Greek cities. The city of Gergis in Troas, near the site of ancient Troy, was said to be the birthplace of the Sibyl Herophile, a priestess with prophetic powers. Coins of the city struck circa 350-300 BC depict a head of the Sibyl on the obverse and a seated sphinx, symbol of prophecy, on the reverse. The types are repeated here, surely intended as a nod to the Trojan origins of Julius Caesar's gens.
From the Dean Kinzer Collection. Ex Demetrios Armounta Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 325, 23 April 2014), lot 539; Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 245 (1 December 2010), lot 300.
This evocative type demonstrates that Roman moneyers were quite familiar with the legends and coin types of obscure Greek cities. The city of Gergis in Troas, near the site of ancient Troy, was said to be the birthplace of the Sibyl Herophile, a priestess with prophetic powers. Coins of the city struck circa 350-300 BC depict a head of the Sibyl on the obverse and a seated sphinx, symbol of prophecy, on the reverse. The types are repeated here, surely intended as a nod to the Trojan origins of Julius Caesar's gens.