MYSIA. Cyzicus. Ca. 500-450 BC. EL 1/12 stater or hemihecte (8mm, 1.33 gm). NGC Choice XF 3/5 - 4/5. Facing head of Silenus, with heavy beard and horse's ears, between two upward-facing tunny fish / Quadripartite mill-sail incuse square punch. Cf. Greenwell 45 (hecte). Cf. von Fritze 77 (same). Cf. SNG France 208 (same). Off-center, but well struck with a humorous head of Silenus. From the Leo's College Fund Collection. Ex private Swiss collection (Roma Numismatics, E-Sale 46, 5 June 2018), lot 196 Silenus, in Greek mythology, was the main follower and drinking companion of the wine god Dionysus. Silenus is usually portrayed as a bearded older man with the ears and tail of a horse. He is usually shown in an inebriated state, often supported by another satyr or a donkey. However, he is also reputed to have had special prophetic powers when drunk. This rare and marvelous stater of Cyzicus depicts Silenus in his usual smiling, happily drunken state; the unusual frontal depiction is framed by two tunny fish, the symbol of Cyzicus.

HID09801242017

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