Bucephalus Numismatic
Black Auction 15 10-11 Feb 2023
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BITHYNIA, Cius. Orbiana, reign of Severus Alexander, 222-235 AD. AE.
Obv: ΓΝ ⳞΕ ΒΑΡ ΟΡΒΙΑΝΗ ΑΥ.
Draped bust of Orbiana, r.
Rev: ΚΙΑΝΩΝ.
Galley with five? rowers, l.
Unpublished.
According to myth, Cius was founded on the Propontis (Sea of Marmara) by Heracles when he accompanied the Argonauts. Hylas was a member of the expedition of the Argonauts to search the Golden Fleece; at some point, they have made landfall in Cius for the night; Hylas went to fetch water for dinner; Nymphs of the river, loved by the young warrior, kidnapped and immersed him in water; his companions, especially his friend Heracles captivated by her beauty, came to look for, but they did not found him; the ship continued its course, leaving Heracles to land, who then walked to Colchis; later they learned the truth of what happened; Hylas, kidnapped by the Nymphs, had become a divine being.
There are five different types of Kios coins minted in the name of Severus Alexander's wife Orbiana. Two of these, Heracles and his club, are associated with the founding myth of Cius. The sixth type that appears with this unique coin must also be related to the founding of the city.
Described by Pactolus Numismatic Academy (PNA).
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 3.31 g.
Diameter: 21.1 mm.
Obv: ΓΝ ⳞΕ ΒΑΡ ΟΡΒΙΑΝΗ ΑΥ.
Draped bust of Orbiana, r.
Rev: ΚΙΑΝΩΝ.
Galley with five? rowers, l.
Unpublished.
According to myth, Cius was founded on the Propontis (Sea of Marmara) by Heracles when he accompanied the Argonauts. Hylas was a member of the expedition of the Argonauts to search the Golden Fleece; at some point, they have made landfall in Cius for the night; Hylas went to fetch water for dinner; Nymphs of the river, loved by the young warrior, kidnapped and immersed him in water; his companions, especially his friend Heracles captivated by her beauty, came to look for, but they did not found him; the ship continued its course, leaving Heracles to land, who then walked to Colchis; later they learned the truth of what happened; Hylas, kidnapped by the Nymphs, had become a divine being.
There are five different types of Kios coins minted in the name of Severus Alexander's wife Orbiana. Two of these, Heracles and his club, are associated with the founding myth of Cius. The sixth type that appears with this unique coin must also be related to the founding of the city.
Described by Pactolus Numismatic Academy (PNA).
Condition: Very Fine
Weight: 3.31 g.
Diameter: 21.1 mm.