Freeman & Sear - Mail Bid Sale 12



      ancient classic artifacts coins numismatic roman greek 



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                        Lot: 258

                        (click on image to enlarge)
                        THRACE: Perinthus, Severus Alexander. (AD 222-235). AE 
                        40 mm medallion (36.14 gm).

                        Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander 
                        right / Wheel of the Zodiac; in center, Zeus enthroned 
                        facing, holding patera and scepter, eagle at his feet; 
                        to upper left, Helios right in quadriga, with crescent 
                        moon above; to upper right, Selene left in biga of 
                        bulls, with star above; beneath Zeus's feet, to left, 
                        Gaia reclining right, holding cornucopia, and to right, 
                        Thalassa reclining left, holding rudder. Varbanov II, 
                        4093 (this specimen illustrated). Hunter p. 403, 24. Cf. 
                        BMC Thrace 58 (laureate, cuirassed bust). Extremely 
                        rare. Glossy dark brown patina. Nearly extremely fine 

                        Ex Triton I, 2-3 December 1997, lot 668. 

                        The reverse type is a symbolic map of the cosmos. Zeus, 
                        chief of the gods, is the central figure, with 
                        personifications of earth and sea reclining at his feet, 
                        and the sun and the moon traversing the heavens above 
                        his head. Surrounding this scene is a broad band 
                        containing the twelve signs of the Zodiac. The entire 
                        design reflects the common belief of third-century 
                        Romans that their lives were shaped by higher powers. 
                        Estimated Value: $ 8,500 


 ... Sold for $10450 [ approx 8569 EUR, 5852 GBP ] plus 15% buyers fee. 


From the Freeman & Sear Mail Bid Sale 12, Closed October 28, 2005.

Re-used by permission of Freeman & Sear, www.freemanandsear.com