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Obolos 18

21 February 2021
Webauction
overview
Starting Price: 50 CHF
Hammer Price:  95 CHF
Lot 465

L. Marcius Censorinus, 82 BC. Denarius (Silver, 17.5 mm, 3.80 g, 7 h), Rome. Laureate head of Apollo to right. Rev. L · CENSOR Marsyas advancing left, extending right arm and holding wineskin in his left hand over his left shoulder; behind, column bearing statue on top. Babelon (Marcia) 24. Crawford 363/1d. Sydenham 737. Lightly toned. Light scratch on obverse, graffito on reverse, otherwise, very fine.

From the Trausnitz Collection, ex Künker FPL 116, November 1995, 209.

Marsyas was a Phrygian satyr connected to the worship of Dionysos via his flute playing: he was one of the Tityroi, the double-flute playing satyrs in the train of the god. Legend said that it was Marsyas who invented flute playing. The story goes that Athena had crafted the very first flute, but discarded it because she did not like how it disfigured her cheeks when she blew into it. Marsyas found it and played it beautifully. He felt that he was so good that he challenged the god Apollo to a musical contest, the winner to determine the fate of the loser. Apollo won, of course, and after tying Marsyas to a tree he flayed him alive for his presumption in challenging him.

Online bidding closes: 21 Feb 2021, 18:52:30 CET Current Date & Time: 29 Mar 2024, 00:16:20 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:95 CHF by gengxin0927 (8 bids)
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