MYSIA. Cyzicus. Ca. 5th-4th centuries BC. EL/AE fourée sixth-stater or hecte (10mm, 2.05 gm). NGC XF 5/5 - 2/5, core visible. Ancient Forgery. Head of Attis right, wearing Phrygian cap; tunny right below / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 142. Extremely rare. Attis was originally a Phrygian god of Pessinos, but came to be associated in Greek mythology as the consort of the goddess Cybele. According to Pausanias, Attis had godlike beauty and was betrothed to the king of Pessinos' daughter. During the wedding ceremony, a jealous Cybele appeared which caused Attis to go mad, wherein he cut off his own genitals, prefiguring the devotees of Cybele, the korybantes.

HID09801242017

To the auctioneer's website