The Prospero Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. MYSIA. Kyzikos (c.450-400 B.C.), Electrum Stater, 16.05g. Herakles and his younger brother, Iphicles, both naked, being attacked by serpents, Herakles is facing to the left and strangling two serpents, while Iphicles faces to the right and holds-out his right hand in fear, a tunny below. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of mill-sail pattern (Von Fritze, Nomisma VII, 208, pl. VI, 20; W. Greenwell, ‘The Electrum Coinage of Cyzicus’, NC 1887, 63, pl. III, 14; Gulbenkian 629; Boston 1531; SNG France 341). Obverse a little off-centre, a scrape on the reverse, very fine and rare. Purchased privately in 1986 The obverse of this coin depicts the mythological tale of the serpents sent by Hera to destroy Herakles and his brother. Greenwell (p. 83) mentions the likelihood that this interesting mythological type was copied from a group in marble. US$ 12,000
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