Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXVII 22-23 Mar 2023
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Caracalla Æ 35mm of Tarsus, Cilicia. AD 198-217. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥΡ CЄΥΗΡΟC ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC CЄΒ, laureate head to left; Π-Π across fields, star below / ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑΝΗC CЄΥH ΑΔΡ ΜΗΤ, Hercules, holding lion skin, attacking the Hydra with club to left; ΤΑΡCΟΥ in exergue, Δ Ε Κ in two lines in lower central field. SNG Levante 1051 = Voegtli 2q (same dies); SNG BnF -; SNG von Aulock -. 15.94g, 35mm, 1h.
Good Extremely Fine; an exquisitely detailed rev., highlighting a wonderfully dynamic clash. Very Rare; and seemingly the finest known specimen.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020, lot 802;
Ex Nomos AG, Auction 6, 8 May 2012, lot 177 (hammer: CHF 8,500);
Ex LHS Numismatik AG, Auction 95, 25 October 2005, lot 832.
The reverse of this coin depicts the second of Hercules' Twelve Labours, the slaying of the so-called Lernaean Hydra, the lake-monster with many snake-like heads of which two would regrow for every one that was cut off. Hercules successfully defeated this creature with the help of his nephew, Iolaus, who burnt the stumps of the monster's heads after they had been cut off to stop them regrowing. The last, immortal, head of the Hydra was dealt with by burial deep within the ground.
Good Extremely Fine; an exquisitely detailed rev., highlighting a wonderfully dynamic clash. Very Rare; and seemingly the finest known specimen.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020, lot 802;
Ex Nomos AG, Auction 6, 8 May 2012, lot 177 (hammer: CHF 8,500);
Ex LHS Numismatik AG, Auction 95, 25 October 2005, lot 832.
The reverse of this coin depicts the second of Hercules' Twelve Labours, the slaying of the so-called Lernaean Hydra, the lake-monster with many snake-like heads of which two would regrow for every one that was cut off. Hercules successfully defeated this creature with the help of his nephew, Iolaus, who burnt the stumps of the monster's heads after they had been cut off to stop them regrowing. The last, immortal, head of the Hydra was dealt with by burial deep within the ground.