Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 525 19-20 Oct 2022
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CILICIA, Corycus. Valerian I. AD 253-260. Æ Octassarion (33mm, 18.66 g, 5h). Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front / Agonistic crown, containing caduceus, palm frond, and apluster, inscribed ΘЄΜΙΑ and set upon table; to right, Dionysus standing left, holding cantharus and filleted thyrsus; between, panther standing left. SNG BN 1122-25; SNG Levante 820 (same dies). Dark brown patina with red earthen highlights. Near VF.
The presiding deity of the Themian games was the goddess Themis (Θέμις), personification of Justice and Order, who had been the patron of the oracle of Delphi before Apollo. Thema (θέμα) also means a deposit, usually of money, and the Themian games were unusual in having cash prizes for the winners, unlike the more typical awards of wreaths, wine, oil, or celery.
The presiding deity of the Themian games was the goddess Themis (Θέμις), personification of Justice and Order, who had been the patron of the oracle of Delphi before Apollo. Thema (θέμα) also means a deposit, usually of money, and the Themian games were unusual in having cash prizes for the winners, unlike the more typical awards of wreaths, wine, oil, or celery.