★ The Centaur Chiron ★

Kings of Bithynia, Prusias II Cynegos AE 21mm. Circa 182-149 BC. Nikomedia mint. The Centaur Chiron

Kings of Bithynia, Prusias II Cynegos AE 21mm. Circa 182-149 BC. Nikomedia mint. Ivy-wreathed head of Dionysos to right / The centaur Chiron walking to right, cloak over shoulder, playing lyre; BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ to left, monogram between forelegs. Cf. SNG Copenhagen 639; HGC 7, 629. 6.60gr, 21mm, 12h. Near Very Fine.

Property of a Cambridgeshire, UK, gentleman.

Chiron was held to be the superlative centaur amongst his brethren, as he was called as the wisest and justest of all the centaurs (Homer, Iliad 11.831). Throughout Greek mythology, there were many heroes who were trained by Chiron, including Achilles, Ajax, Asklepios, Herakles, Jason, Perseus, and Theseus.