Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
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Lesbos, Mytilene AR Tetradrachm. Circa 160s BC. Laureate head of Zeus-Ammon to right / Xoanon of bearded Dionysos facing, wearing polos; MYTIΛH-NAΩN flanking, monogram to lower right; all within ivy wreath. Unpublished in the standard references with this monogram: cf. EHC 650; cf. CH VIII, pl. LXIV, 2 = Prospero 498; cf. Waddington 1393, pl. III, 8; cf. Leu 22, 129 (same monogram in lower right field). 15.58g, 34mm, 12h.
Very Fine; some graffiti to rev. Unique and unpublished, fewer than 10 examples of this series known.
From the inventory of a German dealer.
The reverse displays a wooden sculpture of Dionysos. According to Pausanias, "certain fishermen of Methymna found that their nets dragged up to the surface of the sea a face made of olive-wood. Its appearance suggested a touch of divinity, but it was outlandish, and unlike the normal features of Greek gods. So the people of Methymna asked the Pythian priestess of what god or hero the figure was a likeness, and she bade them worship Dionysus Phallen. Whereupon the people of Methymna kept for themselves the wooden image out of the sea, worshipping it with sacrifices and prayers, but sent a bronze copy to Delphi." (10.19.3). There are a few such examples on Hellenistic coinage of presenting xoana or cult statues (see EHC p. 25).
Very Fine; some graffiti to rev. Unique and unpublished, fewer than 10 examples of this series known.
From the inventory of a German dealer.
The reverse displays a wooden sculpture of Dionysos. According to Pausanias, "certain fishermen of Methymna found that their nets dragged up to the surface of the sea a face made of olive-wood. Its appearance suggested a touch of divinity, but it was outlandish, and unlike the normal features of Greek gods. So the people of Methymna asked the Pythian priestess of what god or hero the figure was a likeness, and she bade them worship Dionysus Phallen. Whereupon the people of Methymna kept for themselves the wooden image out of the sea, worshipping it with sacrifices and prayers, but sent a bronze copy to Delphi." (10.19.3). There are a few such examples on Hellenistic coinage of presenting xoana or cult statues (see EHC p. 25).