CILICIA. Seleucia ad Calycadnum. Severus Alexander, 222-235. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 28 mm, 14.30 g, 6 h). AY K M AYP CЄOYHP AΛЄΞA/NΔPOC Radiate and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander to right; on neck, countermark: monogram of ΔO within triangular incuse. Rev. ϹЄΛЄΥ/ΚЄΩΝ ΚΑΛΥΚΑΔΝΩ Infant Zeus seated facing on throne, head to left and raising his right hand; around him, three Curetes, each wearing military outfit, striking shields with swords. RPC VI online 7040. SNG Levante 1033. SNG Paris 1004. For countermark, Howgego 670. Very rare and with an interesting mythological reverse type. Minor weakness on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.



The Curetes were the protectors of the infant Zeus while he was hidden away on Crete. Their dancing and clashing of swords on shields drowned out the cries of the little child, which saved him from his murderous father Kronos.