eBay item 2225401822 (Ends Feb-22-04 17:21:26 PST) - 2000 Yr Old ROMAN Silver Coin Odysseus & TROY home | pay | register | sign in | services | site map| help Back to list of items Listed in category: Coins > Coins: Ancient > Roman: Imperial Also listed in: Coins > Coins: Ancient > Greek 2000 Yr Old ROMAN Silver Coin Odysseus & TROY Item number: 2225401822 You are signed in Bidding has ended for this item If you are a winner, Sign in for your status. Go to larger picture Winning bid: US $590.00 Ended: Feb-22-04 17:21:26 PST Start time:Feb-12-04 17:21:26 PST History:13 bids (US $24.00 starting bid) Winning bidder: User ID kept private Item location: The City Different - Santa Fe United States Ships to: Worldwide Shipping and payment details Seller information axismundi.com( 1888) Feedback Score: 1888 Positive Feedback: 99.9% Member since Mar-06-98 in United States Read feedback comments Ask seller a question View seller's other items Visit this seller's eBay Store! Axis Mundi Ancient Coins Buyer Protection Offered See coverage and eligibility Description 2000 Yr Old ROMAN Silver Coin Odysseus & TROY Very Desirable Authentic 2000+ Year Old Roman Republican Silver Denarius of C. Mamilius C.f. Limetanus / Featuring a Unique Scene of Ulysses (Odysseus) Returning from the Trojan War being Greeted by his Dog Argos / Also Featuring a Rare Portrait of Mercury who was the Roman God of Commerce and Healing with Symbolic Caduceus / Serrated Edge Design Element / Minted in Rome 82 BC / No Reserve This coin will be shipped in a professional numismatic protective sleeve and accompanied by our written guarantee of authenticity which accurately documents the coin as to culture, region or ruler, precious metal, age, denomination and weight as well as a color photograph of the coin. Axis Mundi's Statement of Authenticity : The coin being offered here is backed by Axis Mundi's 30 years of experience in the ancient coin business and is unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine. If you have any questions concerning this coin you can reach one of our professional staff by email at mail@axis-mundi.com or by phone at 505-424-3414. This coin can also be inspected in person, upon request, during our business hours ( 12-6 PM daily ). Please send all mail correspondence and payments to: Axis Mundi 2442 Cerrillos Road # 330, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505. This coin will be shipped in a professional numismatic protective sleeve and accompanied by our written guarantee of authenticity which accurately documents the coin as to culture, region or ruler, precious metal, age, denomination and weight as well as a color photograph of the coin. Concerning Our Switch To "Private Auction" : Our decision to list all of our eBay coin offerings as "Private Auctions" is being done at the request of many of our important coin collectors. Please take the time to read why we have taken this step. Over the past year a significant number of our dedicated customers have urged us to consider private auctions so that they may avoid receiving the enormous amounts of spam from individuals and companies who make a habit of harvesting the email addresses of eBay users. For many, this is particularly disturbing and embarrassing when spam for adults only services and products continue to flood their inbox. In addition, some of our clients have informed us that they have become the target of hate groups due to their purchases of certain ethnic coins. This is especially true with coins of Jewish origin. And even though eBay has made tremendous efforts to curb attempts to gain access to user information, it continues to be a serious problem. We have decided, therefore, to take the only step possible to protect our client confidentiality by switching to private auctions. Private auctions have always been the normal procedure for all auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's, and major coin sales as well. We fully realize that many eBay users are reluctant to bid on private auctions, but the privacy of our clients is certainly more important than any other consideration. Description: We are pleased to offer this genuine 2000+ year old Roman Republican silver Denarius of C. Mamilius C.f. Limetanus for your consideration. This highly desirable coin was minted in Rome in 82 BC and survives in very fine condition and is well centered on both sides and still maintains a gorgeous toned luster. Our photo does not convey the luster which is so apparent when viewing this coin in person. Of particular interest is the serrated edge which was an intentional design element for this coinage. It features a rare portrait of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce and messenger of the gods and a desirable scene of Ulysses ( Odysseus ) being greeted by his faithful dog Argos after his return from the Trojan War. The Hero Odysseus and Troy: Ulysses: (Greek name: Odysseus) is the hero of The Odyssey, the classic tale of adventure by Homer. The Odyssey tells of Odysseus' 10-year struggle to return from the Trojan War to his home in Ithaca. A manly warrior at Troy (he was among those who hid in the famous Trojan Horse), Odysseus is cunning and resourceful, but also loaded with his share of pride and human failings. On his travels he survives encounters with many of ancient literature's most famous characters, from the monstrous one-eyed Cyclops to the tempting (and deadly) Sirens. He is by turns aided and thwarted by the whimsies of Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes and other Greek gods. During Odysseus' long absence from home, his wife Penelope is besieged by suitors, who want to marry her and take control of Odysseus' wealth and throne. To delay a decision on remarriage, she says that she cannot marry until she has finished weaving a shroud for her aged father-in-law, Laertes. She weaves during the day and then unravels her work at night, stretching the production of the shroud out over three years before she is caught. After 20 years away (10 for the war and 10 for the trip back) Odysseus returns to Ithica masquerading as a beggar so as to uncover any palace plots against him. Even after such a long absence, his faithful dog Argos was the first to recognize him ( the scene depicted on this coin ). Homer recounts their mournful reunion after two decades, "There the dog Argos lay in the dung, all covered with dog ticks. Now, as he perceived that Odysseus had come close to him, he wagged his tail, and laid both his ears back; only he now no longer had the strength to move any closer to his master, who . . . secretly wiped a tear away. . . ." Odysseus ultimately triumphs and joins his long-waiting wife, Penelope, and slays the greedy suitors who have besieged her. Odysseus's mighty deeds and all-too-human weaknesses have made him a favorite with scholars and storytellers down through the years. Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Ulysses was one of the best-known poems of the 1800s, and James Joyce's ground breaking novel Ulysses used Homer's adventures as the inspiration for a modern-day tale set in Dublin. The Greeks regarded dogs for their faithfulness and loyalty. An historic story is told of one of these, the dog of Xanthippus, the father of Pericles, who could not endure to be abandoned by his master, and so sprang into the sea, swam across the strait by the side of his master's trireme, and staggered out onto Salamis, only to faint and die straightway. They say that the spot which is pointed out to this day as `Dog's Mound' is his tomb" (Themistocles, 10.5-6). This episode holds an important place in the Golden Age of Athens, for surely Pericles would not have been such an unparalleled military and civic leader had he not been raised in a household served by so faithful a dog as this. Mercury, equated with the Greek Hermes, is the Roman god of trade and profit, merchants and travellers, with no small number of thieves of varying sorts as his worshippers. Mercury travelled upon his winged sandals, and served as the messenger of the gods. He was also a thief and a trickster, and was often called upon for healing. He was a quick, nervous type known for his strong reasoning and analytical ability. His temple in Rome was located near the Circus Maximus on the Aventine Hill which dates to 495 BC. His main festival, the Mercuralia, was celebrated on May 15 when merchants sprinkled their heads and merchandise with water from Mercury's well near the Porta Capena. The cult of Mercury was widely spread, especially among the Celtic and Germanic peoples. The Celts have their Gaulish Mercury, and the Germans identified him as Wodan. The attributes of Mercury are the caduceus (a staff with two intertwined snakes as symbolic of his healing capacity and still in use by the medical profession today) and a purse (a symbol of his connection with commerce). He is portrayed similarly to Hermes: dressed in a wide cloak, wearing talaria (winged sandals) and a petasus (winged hat). The artistry and mythological subjects of ancient Roman Republican coins have always been a tremendous lure to collectors. In addition, these heirlooms of the ancient world have become extremely popular as showpieces for modern jewelry. Here is your opportunity to add this exceptional 2000+ year old example to your collection. We've decided to offer this important coin with no reserve to stimulate active bidding and encourage new collectors. You will not be disappointed with this historic and valuable treasure. Obverse: Draped bust of Mercury facing right, wearing petasus, caduceus over shoulder and control letter behind. behind. Reverse: Ulysses ( Odysseus ) walking right, holding staff, his right hand extended in greeting his dog Argos... C. MAMIL LIMETAN Size: 19 mm Weight: 3.9 grams Reference: Sear 282 THE DANGERS OF LAST MINUTE BIDDING : Almost without fail after an auction has closed we receive emails from bidders who claim they were attempting to place a bid and were unable to get into eBay. There is nothing we can do to help bidders who were "locked out" while trying to place a "last minute" bid. All we can do in this regard is to urge you to place your bids early. If you're serious in your intent to become a winning bidder please avoid eBay's high traffic during the close of an auction. Its certainly your choice how you handle your bidding, but we'd rather see you a winner instead of being left out during the last minute scramble. AUTHENTICITY : We are a member of the American Numismatic Association. All items are accompanied by a lifetime guarantee of authenticity. DOMESTIC SHIPPING COSTS : High bidder to pay $7.00 for Priority shipping with insurance. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING COSTS : High bidder to pay actual cost of shipping by air. It is the responsibility of the buyer to comply with foreign customs and exchange regulations. RETURN POLICY : Items can be returned for ANY reason within 10 days of receipt for a full refund minus shipping costs. All items are shipped fully insured against loss or damage. Should any item arrive in damaged condition buyer agrees to save all packing materials pending examination by representative of shipping company. PAYMENT METHODS : We accept checks, money orders, VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS and PAY PAL. Personal checks must clear our bank before shipment of item except in cases of established clients. Click here to see ...AXIS MUNDI's... other quality auctions Copyright 2004 Axis Mundi Thanks for Your Time and Interest Created by eBay Seller's Assistant Pro Visit Axis Mundi Ancient Coins today! Shipping and payment details Shipping and handling: US $3.80 (within United States) Buyer pays for all shipping costs Save on shipping now! - Buy more from this seller Shipping insurance: US $3.20 (Required) Sales tax: 6.400% (only in NM) Will ship worldwide. Seller's payment instructions & return policy: Axis Mundi will email the winning bidder with payment options following the close of each auction. We accept checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. You can make credit card payment by calling us directly at 505-424-3414 (12-6 PM Mountain Time) or through Pay Pal. Customers outside the USA can make Pay Pal payments in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, Euro, or Yen. Shipping fees appearing on this page are for USA delivery ONLY. Payment methods accepted This seller, axismundi.com, prefers PayPal. Personal check Money order/Cashiers check See item description for payment methods accepted Visa/MasterCard, American Express Learn about payment methods. Where to go next? Back to list of items | Email this item to a friend | Printer friendly page | Safe Trading Tips | Top of page Seller assumes all responsibility for listing this item. Announcements | Register | Security Center | Policies | Feedback Forum | About eBay Copyright © 1995-2004 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. 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