LYDIA. Thyateira. Septimius Severus, 193-211. Medallion (Orichalcum, 46 mm, 44.83 g, 6 h), Asiatikos, son of Hermogenes, strategos. AYΤ KAI Λ CЄΠ CЄOYHPOC ΠЄΡ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus to right, seen from behind. Rev. ЄΠI CTPA ΑCIATIKOY ЄΡΜΟΓЄΝ / ΘYATЄIPH/NΩN Hephaistos, on the left, seated right on cippus, working with a hammer in his right hand on helmet, which he holds with tongs in his left over a column; to right, Athena standing front, head to left, supporting the helmet with her right hand and holding spear and shield set on ground with her left. BMC -. GRPC Lydia 272. Hochard 2465. RPC V.2 online ID 77103. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG Leypold -. SNG München -. SNG von Aulock -. Extremely rare, apparently the fourth and finest known example. A wonderful medallion, boldly struck and large, and with arguably the finest depiction of Hephaistos on any Roman Provincial coin. Very minor traces of cleaning, otherwise, extremely fine.


Hephaistos, in Greek mythology, is the god of fire, smithcraft, and metalworking. As a divine craftsman, he fashioned weapons, armour, and precious implements for the Olympian gods, and was especially celebrated for his skill and technical mastery. The depiction on our magnificent medallion from Thyateira draws on this theme: Hephaistos is shown forging a Corinthian helmet, which Athena, goddess of wisdom and martial protection, receives. Athena’s act of holding the helmet above a column underscores her role as both recipient and protector of the weapons wrought by Hephaistos. At the same time, the scene alludes to the close relationship between the two deities, since Hephaistos repeatedly appears in myth as the maker of divine arms and equipment.