Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Triton XXVIII – Sessions 1-4 . 242 Numistats ref: 672733
No match
Greek
Category
CRETE, Phaistos. Circa 300-270 BC. AR Stater (25mm, 11.47 g, 11h). Herakles, nude but for lion skin draped over left arm, standing left, his left hand extended and holding one head of the Hydra, which he strikes at with club held aloft in his right hand; ΦAIΣTIΩ[N] to right / Bull standing left. Svoronos, Numismatique 53 (same dies as illustration); Le Rider, Crétoises, pl. XXIII, 19–20 (same dies); SNG Lockett 2592 (same obv. die); BMC 13; Mionnet II p. 291, 255. Lightly toned, typical die wear, a few flan flaws on reverse. Good VF. Rare.
The Lernaean Hydra, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, was said to be the sibling of the Nemean Lion, the Chimaera, and Cerberus. Inhabiting the swamp near Lake Lerna in the Argolid, the creature possessed numerous mortal and one immortal head on its single body; should one head be removed, two more would grow in its place. When Herakles reached the swamp where the Hydra dwelt, he drew it out of its lair near the spring of Amymone. Thereupon, wielding a harvesting sickle, he attempted to decapitate the creature. When this proved unsuccessful, because of the Hydra’s regenerative ability, Herakles enlisted the assistance of his nephew Iolaus, who devised a plan: once Herakles had cut off one of the creature’s heads, Iolaus would cauterize the stump with a burning firebrand. The plan succeeded, and the Hydra was destroyed. Herakles placed its one immortal head under a large rock on the sacred way between Lerna and Elaius and dipped his arrows in its poisonous blood. Description
The Lernaean Hydra, the offspring of Typhon and Echidna, was said to be the sibling of the Nemean Lion, the Chimaera, and Cerberus. Inhabiting the swamp near Lake Lerna in the Argolid, the creature possessed numerous mortal and one immortal head on its single body; should one head be removed, two more would grow in its place. When Herakles reached the swamp where the Hydra dwelt, he drew it out of its lair near the spring of Amymone. Thereupon, wielding a harvesting sickle, he attempted to decapitate the creature. When this proved unsuccessful, because of the Hydra’s regenerative ability, Herakles enlisted the assistance of his nephew Iolaus, who devised a plan: once Herakles had cut off one of the creature’s heads, Iolaus would cauterize the stump with a burning firebrand. The plan succeeded, and the Hydra was destroyed. Herakles placed its one immortal head under a large rock on the sacred way between Lerna and Elaius and dipped his arrows in its poisonous blood. Description
Good VF
Grade
2876.25 EUR
Starting
4793.75 EUR
Estimate
EUR
Realized