Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 536 12 Apr 2023
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THRACE, Philippopolis. Geta. AD 209-211. Æ (28mm, 13.74 g, 6h). Struck AD 210-211. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front / Orpheus, wearing Phrygian cap, seated right on rocks, playing lyre; animals around. Varbanov, Philippopolis XVI 18.9 (this coin); Mouchmov, Philippopolis 443; Varbanov 1642. Brown surfaces, minor pitting, small flan crack. Fine. Very rare.
From the Dr. Michael Slavin Collection, purchased from Tom Cederlind. Ex Lanz 123 (30 May 2005), lot 694.
A native of Thrace, Orpheus was renowned for his music and augural abilities. When his wife, Eurydice, was struck down by a serpent, Orpheus travelled to Hades to win her release. When his attempt ultimately proved unsuccessful, since he forget the gods' command not to look on his wife's shade until they had reached the upper world, Orpheus returned to Thrace. According to Ovid (Metamorphoses XI), it was there that he was attacked by a band of Maenads and torn to pieces. The burial places of these pieces soon became shrines and a cult with mysteries developed. Practitioners followed the Orphikos bios, or way of life, which included celibacy and vegentarianism.
From the Dr. Michael Slavin Collection, purchased from Tom Cederlind. Ex Lanz 123 (30 May 2005), lot 694.
A native of Thrace, Orpheus was renowned for his music and augural abilities. When his wife, Eurydice, was struck down by a serpent, Orpheus travelled to Hades to win her release. When his attempt ultimately proved unsuccessful, since he forget the gods' command not to look on his wife's shade until they had reached the upper world, Orpheus returned to Thrace. According to Ovid (Metamorphoses XI), it was there that he was attacked by a band of Maenads and torn to pieces. The burial places of these pieces soon became shrines and a cult with mysteries developed. Practitioners followed the Orphikos bios, or way of life, which included celibacy and vegentarianism.