THRACE, Philippopolis. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Æ 40mm Medallion (37.62 gm). 
 AVT K M AVP CEVH [AN]TWNEINOC, laureate bust left with aegis, seen from 
 behind / KOINON QRAKWN ALEZAN PVQIA E-N FILIPPO, three nude Athletes; the 
 middle athlete retrieves lot from an urn, the other athletes examine their 
 lots. Mouchmov, Sofia pl. 31, 3 (same dies); H. Gaebler, "Die Losurne in 
 der Agonistik," ZfN 39 (1929), pg. 281, 1 (6 examples). Good VF, mottled 
 green patina. Very rare. ($7500) Of all the ancient buildings of 
 Philippopolis, only the athletic stadium remains with its monumental 
 entrance and a track of a little more than a stade in length (180 metres), 
 with a capacity of about 30,000 people. Herodian mentions the restoration 
 of the Pythian games in the cities of Thrace at the behest of Caracalla in 
 honour and memory of Alexander the Great. This coin is part of a series of 
 athletic types which commemorate this restoration by the provincial 
 assembly of the Thracians, and include fight scenes, gladiators, a 
 discobolos, gymnasts exercising and prizes.
Triton V Sale, 16 Jan 2002, lot 1703.

By permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com.