Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 446
THRACE, Perinthus. Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ Octassarion (43mm, 40.25 g, 11h). AYT K M AYPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front / ΠEPINΘIΩN ΔIC NEΩKO/PΩN, two octastyle temples seen in perspective; AKTIA ΠYΘIA above; in upper field, two prize baskets, each containing two palm fronds. Schönert, Perinthos 714; RPC VI Online 991.3 (this coin); Varbanov 405. Green-brown patina, slight roughness, scrapes and scratches. Near VF. Extremely rare, one of only three recorded in RPC, with this coin illustrating the type.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Gorny & Mosch 134 (11 October 2004), lot 1857.
Originally founded as one of four Panhellenic Games during the sixth century BC, the first Pythian Games were said to have been held by Apollo in penance for the killing of Python at Delphi. With gymnastic, athletic, music, and poetry competitions, the games evolved to display the very best of Graeco-Roman culture and traditionally drew visitors from across the empire. Illustrated on the reverse of this coin are the two temples of the neokorate as well as two victory baskets, representing the Actian and Pythian Games, the two local contests held in the city of Perinthus.