Lot 3662

Description

Peloponnesos, Sicyon, (c.400 B.C.), silver triobol or hemidrachm, (2.76 g), obv. Chimaera walking to left, **SI* below, rev. dove flying to left, **DI* above tail, (cf.S.2772, BCD 299, cf.Traite 803 [Pl.CCXXI, 26], cf.BMC 114-116, HGC 5, 213). Toned, good very fine and rare variety.

Ex BCD Collection, CNG Triton XIII Auction Sale, January 5, 2010 (Lot 2169 part), with extensive decription and CNG ticket.
The earliest description of the Chimaera comes from Homer's Illiad, "a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire."There are a few myths associated with the Chimaera, but the most popular is from Corinth, where the beast attacked the city on a nightly basis, carrying off women, children, and livestock. Athena appeared to Bellerophon in a dream and gave him the golden bridle, allowing him to tame the Pegasos. Bellerophon was able to slay the Chimera while riding Pegasos, by driving a spear through its heart. Another variation of the myth is that the spear ended with a clump of lead, when heated by the Chimera's flaming breath, melted and sealed the monster's throat.