Description:

Asia Minor, Greek Anatolia, Mysia, Pergamon, Hellenistic period, ca. 2nd century BCE. A very fine silver AR cistophoros tetradrachm coin. Obverse: cista mystica with serpent within vine wreath. Reverse: two snakes entwined around bow and quiver, Greek inscriptions: city monogram to left, "KA" above second monogram, and serpent-entwined thyrsus staff to right. A cista mystica is a sacred container or basket, often associated with ancient Greek and Roman religious practices, used to hold ritual objects (often snakes!) or symbols in mystery cults, particularly those dedicated to Dionysus and other deities. The bow and quiver represent Heracles, whose son, Telephus, was the mythological founder of the city Pergamon. Size: 1.01" Diameter (2.6 cm); silver quality: 98%; weight: 12.3 grams

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, aquired before 2010

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#182826

  • Condition: Very Fine condition. Off center, softening and rubbing to raised areas. Light patina and toning. Lustrous!

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December 21, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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