Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 539 31 May 2023
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LESBOS, Mytilene. Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. Æ (19.5mm, 5.11 g, 1h). Struck under Augustus, circa AD 5. Bare head of Divus Theophanes right / Draped and veiled bust of Diva Archedamis right. RPC I 2342; BMC 158-9; SNG Copenhagen 405. Rough orichalcum surfaces, porosity and minor deposits. Fine. Rare.
Ex Naville Numismatics 16 (12 July 2015), lot 333.
Mytilene issued a rare series of bronzes honoring men and women who were either connected with the history of the city or distinguished local citizens. The first coin in the series appears to be an issue honoring the historian and politician Theophanes and, preseumably, his wife Archedamis. Theophanes was a friend of Pompey the Great, and it was his influence that won the city its freedom from Pompey in 62 BC (Plutarch, Pompey 42). Theophanes died in 44 BC, but his memory was perpetuated by a local cult that flourished until about AD 33, when the descendants of Theophanes, still influential on the island, came to the attention of the typically suspicious Tiberius and were put to death.
Ex Naville Numismatics 16 (12 July 2015), lot 333.
Mytilene issued a rare series of bronzes honoring men and women who were either connected with the history of the city or distinguished local citizens. The first coin in the series appears to be an issue honoring the historian and politician Theophanes and, preseumably, his wife Archedamis. Theophanes was a friend of Pompey the Great, and it was his influence that won the city its freedom from Pompey in 62 BC (Plutarch, Pompey 42). Theophanes died in 44 BC, but his memory was perpetuated by a local cult that flourished until about AD 33, when the descendants of Theophanes, still influential on the island, came to the attention of the typically suspicious Tiberius and were put to death.