Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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GALATIA, Ancyra. Antinoüs. Died AD 130. Æ (34mm, 25.46 g, 7h). Julius Saturninus, legatus Augusti. Bare head right / The god Mên standing left wearing cloak and oriental tiara, crescent on shoulder, holding anchor and scepter. Arslan –; Blum –; RPC III 2838.5 (this coin); SNG BN 2445 var. (draped bust). Dark brown surfaces, light overall porosity. Good VF. Very rare, RPC Online cites only five examples, including this coin.
From the D.K. Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Review XLV.1 (Winter 2020), no. 525646; Roma XVIII (29 September 2019), lot 765.
One of the most remarkable cults of the ancient world was that which grew up around Antinoüs, a handsome youth from Claudiopolis in Bithynia, who attracted the attention of the emperor Hadrian and became his constant companion. Hadrian apparently encountered Antinous during a visit to Bithynia circa AD 123 and brought him back to Rome for higher education. He became one of the emperor's pages and, by AD 128, an important part of his traveling retinue. During the emperor's tour of Egypt in October AD 130, Antinoüs fell into the Nile and drowned, resulting in suspicions of suicide or ritual murder. The distraught Hadrian had his favorite immediately deified, and the worship of Antinoüs became an important facet of the imperial cult in the eastern Roman Empire.
From the D.K. Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Review XLV.1 (Winter 2020), no. 525646; Roma XVIII (29 September 2019), lot 765.
One of the most remarkable cults of the ancient world was that which grew up around Antinoüs, a handsome youth from Claudiopolis in Bithynia, who attracted the attention of the emperor Hadrian and became his constant companion. Hadrian apparently encountered Antinous during a visit to Bithynia circa AD 123 and brought him back to Rome for higher education. He became one of the emperor's pages and, by AD 128, an important part of his traveling retinue. During the emperor's tour of Egypt in October AD 130, Antinoüs fell into the Nile and drowned, resulting in suspicions of suicide or ritual murder. The distraught Hadrian had his favorite immediately deified, and the worship of Antinoüs became an important facet of the imperial cult in the eastern Roman Empire.