Hierapolis (AD 54-68) AE 19 - Nero

Nero, 54-68 AD. AE19 (5.72g). Bare headed and draped bust right; c/m: radiate bust of Helios(?) right / The Rape of Persephone: Hades in galloping quadriga right, carrying Persephone; Eros flying above, overturned cista mystica below horses. Coin good VF, c/m Fine, brown patina with earthen highlights. Extremely rare and possibly unique. Ex Simpson Coll.

Hades fell in love with Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, and asked Zeus for permission to marry her. Zeus feared to offend his eldest brother by a downright refusal, but knew also that Demeter would not forgive him if Persephone were committed to the underworld. Zeus "therefore answered politically that he could neither give nor withhold his consent." This emboldened Hades to abduct Persephone, as she was picking flowers in a meadow, and carry her away in his horse-drawn chariot to the underworld.

File information
Filename:	601238.jpg
City/Mint name:	Hierapolis
Rating (3 votes):
Keywords:	roman / bronze
References:	??? RPC I -; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC Phrygia -, but see pl. XXXI, 9-10 for same obverse die; c/m: Howgego 11
Valuation:	CNG Auc. 60 (5/2002), lot 1238 ($425 + comm)
Photo courtesy of:	Classical Numismatic Group - www.cngcoins.com
Filesize:	32 KiB
Date added:	Jul 30, 2007
Dimensions:	383 x 201 pixels
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