★ From the BCD, Righetti and Lindgren Collections ★

CORINTHIA. Corinth. Marcus Aurelius, 161-180. Diassarion (Bronze, 26 mm, 10.16 g, 12 h). M AVR ANTONINVS AVG Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius to right. Rev. C L I COR Melikertes-Palaimon lying on back of a dolphin swimming to right; behind, pine-tree. BCD Corinth 701 ( this coin ). Lindgren II 1619 ( this coin ). RPC IV.1 online 7885. Rare and with an illustrious pedigree. Somewhat rough and the reverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, very fine.

Ex Leu Web Auction 24, 3 December 2022, 2114, Leu Web Auction 19, 26 February 2022, 2060, Leu Web Auction 14, 12 December 2020, 930 and from the collections of J.-P. Righetti, BCD and Prof. H. C. Lindgren.

The reverse of this interesting issue alludes to the founding of the Isthmian Games by Sisyphus on the spot where a dolphin laid down the body of his nephew, Melikertes-Palaimon, below a pine tree.