CORINTHIA. Corinth. Marcus Aurelius, 161-180. Diassarion (Bronze, 26 mm, 10.16 g, 12 h). M AVR ANTONINVS AVG Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius to right. Rev. C L I COR Melikertes-Palaimon lying on back of a dolphin swimming to right; behind, pine-tree. BCD Corinth 701 (this coin). Lindgren II 1619 (this coin). RPC IV.1 online 7885. Rare and with an illustrious pedigree. Somewhat rough and the reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, very fine.
Ex Leu Web Auction 19, 26-28 February 2022, 2060, Leu Web Auction 14, 12 December 2020, 930 and from the collections of J.-P. Righetti, BCD and Prof. H. C. Lindgren.
The reverse of this interesting issue alludes to the founding of the Isthmian Games by Sisyphus on the spot where a dolphin laid down the body of his nephew, Melikertes-Palaimon, below a pine tree.