MYSIA. Cyzicus. Ca. 5th-4th centuries BC. EL 1/12 stater or hemihecte (8mm, 1.30 gm). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5. Head of Attis right, wearing Phrygian cap; tunny fish right below (off flan). / Quadripartite mill-sail incuse pattern. cf. Greenwell 56 and pl. III, 6 (stater and hecte). cf. Von Fritze I 142 (same). Extremely rare and an unrecorded denomination for the type. 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
Price realized | 550 USD |
Starting price | 250 USD |
Estimate | 500 USD |