HistoricalCoins

Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 988. Closing Date: Jun 08,
2005. MYSIA, Pergamum. Gallienus. 253-268 AD. Æ
34mm (19.42 gm, 5h). Sex. Claudius Silianus,
Asiarch. BID Estimate $200

MYSIA, Pergamum. Gallienus. 253-268 AD. Æ 34mm
(19.42 gm, 5h). Sex. Claudius Silianus, Asiarch.
Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / •EPI
CEX•KL• CEILI, ANO/V in two lines across upper
field, PERGAMHN, WN across mid-field,
PRWTWN•G•/NEWK in two lines in exergue, Pergamus
standing facing, head right, receiving ram's head
from Hermes(?); open capsa (scroll case) on ground
between. SNG France 2294 var. (magistrate); cf.
SNG Copenhagen 512; BMC Mysia 347. VF, brown
patina with thin, light-green overtones, and
orichalcum highlights. Rare and noteworthy
mythological type. ($200)

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection. Ex Harlan J.
Berk Bid or Buy Sale 75 (28 January 1993), lot
459.

As both male figures on this coin are nude, one
may conclude that they are heroes. The individual
on the left, who receives the ram's head, must be
Pergamus, the grandson of Achilles and the
eponymous re-founder of Pergamum. The figure on
the right is less certain, since he lacks any
specific adjunct. Wroth and Levante have suggested
Hermes. The object on the ground between the two
figures has been described, on the basis of
imperfectly preserved specimens, as an altar. Our
coin clearly shows it to be an open capsa, or
scroll case. Pergamum was the inventor and chief
supplier for parchment, a writing material made of
sheep's skin, and much of the city's revenue came
from the sale of this material. The presentation
of the source of this wealth (the ram's head) by
the god of business (Hermes) to the eponymous
founder of the city (Pergamus) over the capsa,
makes a noteworthy allusion to the city.

High bid of $510, $586.5 including 15% buyers fee, or approximately €413.1, £280.5, C$637.5, A$663, on June 8, 2005.

Used by permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com