The Prospero Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. MYSIA. Kyzikos (c.450-400 B.C.), Electrum Stater, 16.03g. The Earth (Gaia) rising-up out of the ground, wearing a chiton, and holding-out the infant Erichthonios, a tunny below. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of mill-sail pattern (W. Greenwell, ‘The Electrum Coinage of Cyzicus’, NC 1887, 31, pl. II, 8; Von Fritze, Nomisma VII, 157, pl. V, 5; BMC 65, pl. VI, 11; Boston 1500). Good very fine, very rare and a fascinating mythological type. Purchased from Athena, Munich, 19 September 1988 The myth depicted on this fascinating coin is that of the handing-over of Erichthonius by Gaia to Athena. Erichthonius was born of Gaia and, after being entrusted to Athena, was given to Agraulos, Herse and Pondrosos, the daughters of Kekrops, the first king of Athens. When they saw Erichthonius, his anguipedic appearance shocked them to such an extent that they hurled themselves from the Acropolis. This left him to become king of Athens after the death of Kekrops and to found a new dynasty. Greenwell (p. 63) assumes that the representation is probably taken from an original in marble. US$ 22,000
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