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Obolos 12

31 March 2018
Webauction
overview

A Dichalkon of Aristobolus and Salome of the greatest rarity and importance

Starting Price: 7500 CHF
Hammer Price:  Unsold
Lot 450

KINGS OF ARMENIA MINOR. Aristobulus, with Salome, 54-92. Dichalkon (Bronze, 21 mm, 6.92 g, 12 h), Nicopolis-ad-Lycum, year 13 ( IΓ) = 66-67. ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΑΡΙCΤΟΒΟVΛ[ΟV] ΕΤ ΙΓ Diademed and draped bust of Aristobulus to left. Rev. ΒΑCΙΛΙC-CΗC CΑΛΟΜΗC Diademed and draped bust of Salome to left. Hendin 1257a. RPC 3840. Kovacs 300. Meshorer 365. J.M.C. Toynbee, Roman Historical Portraits (London, 1978), pp. 151-152 and ill. 301-302. Of the greatest rarity and interest, one of only eleven known examples. Good fine.

From a European collection.

This coin provides us with a tangible link with one of the most notorious of all women: Salome the daughter of Herodias and Herod II (also known as Herod Philip), since it is her portrait that appears on the reverse. Salome, who was born in c. 14, would have been in her mid to late teens when she did her famous dance before her step-father Herod Antipas, which resulted in her demand for the head of John the Baptist as a reward (in this she was prompted by her mother, Herodias, whom John had condemned for divorcing Herod II and marrying his half-brother Antipas). It should be noted that the Herodian family was, in general, among the most unpleasant and murderous ever to have ruled: they seem to have spent most of their time murdering or executing their close relatives (including wives, children, etc.). After her famous dance, Salome was first married to the Tetrarch Philip of Ituraea and Trachonitis; he died in 34 (apparently naturally) and soon after Salome married Aristobulus of Chalcis, great-grandson of Herod the Great (37-4 BCE). Aristobulus, son of Herod of Chalcis (died in 48/9), was made ruler of Chalcis in 52 and, in 55, was made king of Armenia Minor by Nero. This kingdom was in east-central Anatolia, below Pontus. The portraits on this coin, while not made by the finest engravers, show us a pair of powerful individuals, both in their early 50s; clearly there is no sign of Salome’s teenage allure, which had so besotted her step-father Antipas.

Online bidding closes: 31 Mar 2019, 18:45:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 29 Mar 2024, 01:27:14 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:Unsold
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