Lot 37-029. Sikyonia, Sikyon. Ca. 330/20-280 B.C. AR hemidrachm. Ex Elwood Rafn collection.

Sikyonia, Sikyon. Ca. 330/20-280 B.C. AR hemidrachm (16.0 mm, 2.76 g, 3 h). Chimaera advancing left; ΣI below / Dove flying left; one pellet above tail feathers. BCD 292; SNG Copenhagen 64-5; BMC 124. VF. 

Ex Elwood Rafn collection. 

The earliest description of the Chimera comes from Homer's Illiad, "a thing of immortal make, not human, lion-fronted and snake behind, a goat in the middle, and snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire."There are a few myths associated with the Chimera, but the most popular is from Corinth, where the beast attacked the city on a nightly basis, carrying off women, children, and livestock. Athena appeared to Bellerophon in a dream and gave him the golden bridle, allowing him to tame the Pegasos. Belleraphon was able to slay the Chimera while riding Pegasos, by driving a spear through its heart. Another variation of the myth is that the spear ended with a clump of lead, when heated by the Chimera's flaming breath, melted and sealed the monster's throat.

 

Estimate:

$  125.00

Final Price:

$ 116.00 (5 bid(s))
Approximately EUR 0.00 / GBP 0.00

$  ( bid(s))
Approximately EUR / GBP

Time remaining:

Bidding closed (Tuesday, 28 Jul 2015, 12:14:00)
Current time: Thursday, November 28th, 05:43:19