Cyclades, Karthaia on Keos AE 17mm.

拍品描述

Circa late 3rd-2nd centuries BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right / Radiate forepart of the dog Seirios to right; KAP?? above, bee below. BMC 44; SNG Copenhagen -; HGC 6, 560. The citizens of Keos watched for the rising of the Seirios ('Dog Star', the brightest star in the night sky) every year from the mountaintops. By observing the appearance of the star, the inhabitants would try to determine whether the island would suffer from epidemics or not. If the star appeared clear and bright, the islanders would experience a healthy year, but if it appeared misty and dull, disease would spread across the island. There was a cult where the inhabitants of Keos tried to guard against the effects of Seirios using rituals. They prayed to Aristaios, the son of Apollo and Kyrene, who was taught both medicine and divination by the Centaur Chiron. He came to the island, built an altar, and ordered the islanders to pray to Zeus for refreshing winds and rains (see Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.518 ff). 3.92gr, 17mm, 12h. Near Very Fine. Rare. Acquired on the European coin market. Property of a Kent, UK, gentleman. TimeLine Auctions follows a rigorous vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists. See our website for more information.

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