Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 538 10 May 2023
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LYDIA, Sardis. Germanicus, with Drusus. Caesar, 15 BC-AD 19. Æ (26mm, 13.45 g, 12h). Alexander of Sardis, son of Cleon, high priest of the Koinon of Asia. Struck under Tiberius, circa AD 23-26(?). Germanicus and Drusus, both laureate and togate, seated left on curule chairs, one holding lituus / Legend within and around combined laurel and oak wreath. Kurth 360; RPC I 2994; SNG von Aulock 3143. Thick earthen patina. Near VF.
This issue has also been given to Pergamum, Ephesus, and Smyrna, as Sardis is only referred to on the coins as the city from which the high priest hails. However, as the authors of RPC point out, six specimens were recorded in excavations at Sardis (T.V. Buttrey, et al., Greek, Roman, and Islamic Coins from Sardis [Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1982], p. 50, 274). Without a proper ethnic proclaiming the authority, they may be better thought of as Koinon issues.
This issue has also been given to Pergamum, Ephesus, and Smyrna, as Sardis is only referred to on the coins as the city from which the high priest hails. However, as the authors of RPC point out, six specimens were recorded in excavations at Sardis (T.V. Buttrey, et al., Greek, Roman, and Islamic Coins from Sardis [Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1982], p. 50, 274). Without a proper ethnic proclaiming the authority, they may be better thought of as Koinon issues.