Sale 108
Lot 48
Mysia, Kyzikos., 450-400 BC. Electrum Stater (15.98 g). Herakles and his younger brother, Iphicles, both naked, being attacked by serpents. Herakles is facing to the left and strangling two serpents, while Iphices faces to the right and holds out his right hand in fear; a tunny below. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of mill-sail pattern. Von Fritze, Nomisma VII, 208, pl. VI, 20; W. Greenwell, 'The Electrum Coinage of Cyzicus' NC 1887, 63, pl. III, 14; Gulbenkian 629; Boston 1531; SNG France 341. Very Rare. Well centered and problem-free. Choice Very Fine. Estimate Value $10,000 - UP
Far superior than the Prospero specimen sold in The New York Sale Auction XXVII, 4, January 2012, lot 456 (realized $13,000).
The obverse of this coin depicts the mythological tale of the serpents sent by Hera to destroy Herakles and his brother. Greenwell (p. 83) mentions the likelihood that this interesting mythological type was copied from a group in marble.
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| Realized $12,000 |
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