Lot 1893

Description

Lydia, Sardis, Imperial times, (c. early 3rd century A.D.), AE 23, (6.57 grams), obv. bust of Men Askenos to right wearing Phrygian cap adorned with stars, chlamys on shoulder, with crescent behind, around **AX*IOT THNOC, dotted border, rev. reclining river god Hermus, holding in right hand a reed, in left a cornucopiae and a vase on side, around CAP**DIAN W N* in exergue EPMOC, dotted border, (cf.S.5040, BMC -, cf.SNG Cop. 511, cf.Mionnet Sup. 7, p.412, No.426, cf.Lane p.42 Sardis 3 [different obv. and rev. legends). Good very fine and extremely rare if not unique, unpublished.

An important issue of the cult god Men with a superb image of this god, rarely available as the main design of a coin's obverse.