★ The myth of Lycaon ★

CILICIA. Isaura. Caracalla, 198-217. Diassarion (Bronze, 25 mm, 8.00 g, 7 h), 205-209. AY•K•M•AY ANTΩNЄINOC Laureate and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, breastplate decorated with gorgoneion. Rev. MHTPOΠOΛЄΩC ICA/YPΩN Lycaon, laureate and on the left, standing right in military attire, holding long scepter in his left hand and receiving a tablet from Apollo, on the right, standing left, nude, holding laurel branch in his left hand; between them, wolf recumbent to right, head to left, holding human hand in his mouth. SNG Levante 262 var. (wolf reclining left and altar in exergue). SNG Paris 494-495 var. (differing reverse legend arrangement). SNG von Aulock 5410-5411 var. (differing reverse legend reverse arrangement). An attractive coin with a fine portrait. Edge crack, otherwise, good very fine.

From a Swiss collection, formed before 2021.

For a longer note on the reinterpretation of this reverse, see Leu 11, 14 May 2022, 202.