Argolis, Epidauros (c.250 BC), Silver Drachm

Argolis, Epidauros (c. 250 B.C.), Silver Drachm. Laureate head of Apollo Maleatas facing right, his hair flowing down over his neck, rev. Asklepios seated left, holding a long sceptre in his left hand and extending his right hand over a serpent that is coiled on left before him, a hound lying to right below the seat, and small ΘE above strut, 4.64g., 12h (BCD, Leu 96, 2006, lot 1240 (these dies), and lot 1236 (Aeginetic weight, this obverse die); P. Requier, 'Le monnayage d'Epidaure à la lumière d'un nouveau trésor', SNR 72, 1993, pl. 4, 57; BMC 7 (these dies); SNG Lockett 2508 (these dies)). Traces of double-striking on the reverse, otherwise a very good depiction of Asklepios, and a beautiful example with a superb old dark blue-purple cabinet tone, nearly extremely fine and very rare.

Provenance:

Purchased from Edward J. Waddell Ltd., December 2000

Epidauros was associated with its great sanctuary of Asklepios, a celebrated place of healing in the Ancient World, which became a place of pilgrimage. The remains of the sanctuary include the temple of Asklepios and the famous and well-preserved theatre which is still used today. The impressive reverse of this issue perhaps depicts the statue of Asklepios at Epidauros, described by Pausanias as being made of ivory and gold, and created by the artist Thrasymedes (ii. 27.2), therefore providing us with an important archaeological dimension.