Lot 594: [Roman Provincial & Imperial]. Lot of two coins of Gordian III.

[Roman Provincial & Imperial]. Lot of two coins of Gordian III. Includes: AR antoninianus. Rome. Hercules standing right, leaning on club set on rocks and holding lion's skin. Choice EF. Depicting the 'Farnese' Hercules // Egypt, Alexandria. BI tetradrachm. Year 4. Eagle standing left, head right, holding wreath in beak. Good Fine, high silver content. LOT SOLD AS-IS, RETURNS NOT PERMITTED. 

It has been suggested that the depiction of Hercules on the reverse of this antoninianus in this lot was copied from the 'Farnese Hercules'. The 'Farnese Hercules' is an early third century A.D. masterpiece by the otherwise unknown artist Glykon, who ultimately based his work on the 4th century B.C. sculpture made by the famed artist Lysippos or one of his followers. The statue was commissioned for the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, which was dedicated in A.D. 216, but subsequently was lost to time until it was rediscovered in 1546. After its recovery, it was displayed in its own room at Palazzo Farnese in Rome, which was decorated with frescoes depicting the hero's Twelve Labors, but was subsequently moved in 1787 to Naples, where it currently resides in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 594
• Listing #: 193564
• Closed: Thursday, April 17, 2014 8:17:40 PM CT
• Estimate: $100