• Finest Quality Ancient Greek, Roman & Byzantine Coins
  • Renaissance & 17th Century Dutch Medals
  • Auctions & Private Treaty Sales

Obolos 16

11 October 2020
Webauction
overview

Published in RPC

Starting Price: 100 CHF
Hammer Price:  140 CHF
Lot 979

BITHYNIA. Koinon of Bithynia. Hadrian, 117-138. (Bronze, 34 mm, 24.52 g, 6 h). AYT KAIC TRAI [AΔ]PIANOC CEB Laureate head of Hadrian to right. Rev. KOI - NON / BEIΘYNIAC Octastyle temple with she-wolf suckling the twins in pediment, palmettes as acroteria. BMC 14-15. RG 43. RPC III 1009.10 (this coin). Brown patina. Porosity, otherwise, about very fine.



According to Polybius, when coming before the Roman Senate, King Prusias I of Bithynia prostrated himself, addressing the assembly as "Saviour Gods." This would have been proper etiquette at his own court, but it was embarrassing to the Romans. Equating Roman leaders and Roman rule as divinely inspired, the cult to Imperial Rome soon sprang up and flourished throughout the subject provinces of the growing Empire, especially in the East. The reverse of this coin shows a temple façade with the a she-wolf sucking the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, in the pediment, and illustrates the imporance of this imperial cult to the people of Bithynia.

Online bidding closes: 11 Oct 2020, 22:09:30 CEST Current Date & Time: 25 Apr 2024, 09:48:40 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:140 CHF by MailBidder2339 (5 bids)
An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙
Reconnecting, please wait...