PHRYGIA. Prymnessus. Pseudo-autonomous issue. AE (Bronze, 15 mm, 2.24 g, 12 h), time of the Antonines, 138-192. ΜΙΔΑϹ Draped bust of Midas to right, with donkey ear and wearing Phrygian cap and pearl necklace.
Rev. ΠΡΥΜΝΗϹϹЄΩΝ The river-god Kaystros (?) reclining left, holding reed in his right hand and leaning left on urn from which water flows. BMC 3. RPC IV.2 online 1919. Rutten, Midas, 1. Von Aulock, Phrygien II, 858-68. Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, with a beautiful rendering of Midas. The reverse slightly smoothed
, otherwise, good very fine.
Ex Bucephalus Gold Auction 7, 30 September-1 October 2022, 789 (expertly cleaned since).
Adorned with both an animal ear and the iconic Phrygian cap, this coin depicts the the fabled Phrygian King Midas whose touch turned all he laid hands upon into gold. According to the myth, Midas' encounter with Dionysos led to his ears being transformed into those of a donkey, a symbolic punishment for his misguided judgment of the god's musical performance in a contest with Pan.
