10499 Ancient Greek coins - Coins of Greece, Macedonia, Thrace - Edgar L. Owen Galleries

ANCIENT GREEK COINS
(Greece & Thrace)

Collection L - Reasonable Offers Welcome



AIGINA AKARNANIA ARGOLIS ARKADIA
ATTICA BOEOTIA BOSPORUS CORINTHIA
CRETE ELIS EUBOIA ILLYRIA
LOKRIS MACEDON KINGS MEGARIS
MESSENIA MOESIA PAEONIA SCYTHIA
SIKYONIA THESSALY THRACE WEIGHTS
MAP


AIGINA

10365. AIGINA, c. 480 B.C., silver stater, 12.04 grams. Obverse: Sea turtle viewed from above. Reverse: geometric incuse skew pattern. Aigina, an island-state situated halfway between Attica and Argolis, was the first place in Europe to issue coinage, following the lead of Lydia in Asia Minor. The practice spread rapidly to Athens and Corinth, and the huge advantages of having a standardized coinage helped make ancient Greece a wealthy and powerful culture. The tortoise and turtle were symbols for Aigina, in much the same way the owl represented Athens. Aigina minted coins with a smooth-shelled sea turtle design and also produced this scarcer type featuring land tortoises, the latter distinguishable by their segmented shells. Near VF with the entire tortoise on the flan which is rare.

SOLD.



11029. ISLANDS OFF ATTICA, AEGINA, Circa 445/4-430 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 12.23 g). Land tortoise with segmented shell / Square incuse with skew pattern. HGC 6, 437. VF, scrapes on reverse. Aigina, an island-state situated halfway between Attica and Argolis, was the first place in Europe to issue coinage, following the lead of Lydia in Asia Minor. The practice spread rapidly to Athens and Corinth, and the huge advantages of having a standardized coinage helped make ancient Greece a wealthy and powerful culture. The tortoise and turtle were symbols for Aigina, in much the same way the owl represented Athens. Aigina minted coins with a smooth-shelled sea turtle design and also produced this scarcer type featuring tortoises, the latter distinguishable by their segmented shells. Good VF with the entire tortoise on the flan which is rare.

SOLD.



AKARNANIA

6059. AKARNANIA, ANACTORIUM, c. 300-250BC. AR Stater, Copenhagen 299v. Pegasos flying l., AN monogram beneath/Hd. Athena l., bucranium to r. EF.


9383. AKARNANIA, LEUKAS, after 167 BC. AR Didrachm, Dewing 1463, Sear 2283v. Statue of Aphrodite Aineias r. on base holding aplustre, stag at her side, scepter surmounted by dove behind, all within laurel wreath/Prow of galley r, AKAP monogram beneath, magistrate's name above. VF+. Scarce.


ARGOLIS


ARKADIA

10527. ARKADIA, ARKADIAN LEAGUE. Circa 175-168 BC. AR Triobol (16mm, 2.38 g, 5h). Megalopolis mint. Laureate head of Zeus left / Pan seated left on rock, raising hand and holding logobolon; to knee, eagle left, with wings spread. Dengate period III, 1-7; BCD Peloponnesos (Megalopolis) 1548-9. VF, lightly toned. Ex BCD Collection (not in previous sales).


ATTICA
(map)

APPARENTLY UNIQUE AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT

9347. AN APPARENTLY UNIQUE COIN LINKING ATHENIAN WAPPENMUNZEN AND THE LATER OWLS. ATTICA, ATHENS, c. 515-510 BC. AR fraction, 0.87 gm., Unpublished, Sear_, SNG Copenhagen_, Plant_, SNG ANS_. Head of bull facing/Owl stg. l. AΘE to l., olive berry to r., all within incuse square. F.

An extremely interesting coin. The obverse bucranium is well known on the "Wappenm¸nzen" series of ca. 545-515 BC (cf. Svoronos, Corpus of the Ancient Coins of Athens, pl. 1, 45) but here the reverse is consistently a diagonally divided incuse square. The first "owls" with a head of Athena on obverse appear to have been introduced about 510 BC (cf. Svoronos pl. 2, 54-9 for fractions with a reverse type similar to this piece), but there seems to be no other known example of an overlap of types between these two distinct series. My thanks to David Sear for the attribution. UNIQUE AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT, ONLY THIS SINGLE EXAMPLE KNOWN!

$5000.



12871. ATTICA, ATHENS, Circa 500/490-485/0 BC. AR Tetradrachm (20mm, 17.29 g, 1h). Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; olive spray behind; AΘE to right; all within incuse square. Seltman Group Gii; Asyut group IVg; SNG Copenhagen -. VF, light pitting on obverse. Perfectly centered with almost all of Athena's helmet present. Nice example of a rare archaic style Athenian owl. $6750.


6060. ATTICA, ATHENS, 4th-3rd century BC. AR Tetradrachm, Copenhagen 64v. Hd. Athena r./Owl stg. r., AΘE, crescent to upper l., all within incuse square. Small test cut on owl but a rare example with nearly the entire crest of Athena's helmet present. EF.


10801. ATTICA, ELEUSIS, Circa 340-335 BC. AE (17mm, 4.09 g, 5h). Eleusis mint. Triptolemos, holding grain ear, seated right in winged chariot being drawn by two serpents / Pig standing right on mystic staff; bucranium below. Kroll 38h; Svoronos, Monnaies pl. 103, 4-5. VF, dark brown patina, obverse a bit off center.

Eleusis was the site of the famous Eleusinian mysteries. Devotees trekked in procession from Athens along the Sacred Way to take part in these mysteries which celebrated the myth of Persephone who was abducted by Hades which caused Winter to fall upon the world. Each Spring she was allowed to return to Earth causing the return of vegetation specifically the return of food crops. The myth acted out the cycle of death and rebirth. Triptolemus, who appears on the obverse, was the hero who first taught agriculture to humans. The pig was sacrificed during the mysteries.



10364. ATTICA, ISLANDS, SALAMIS. 4th century BC. AE 17 mm., 2.29 g. Wreathed head of Kore right / Shield of Ajax, decorated with sword in sheath (faintly visible). Kroll 640; SNG Copenhagen 455. Near VF. Ex. Gorny.

Salamis is of great historical importance as it was the site of the famous naval battle in which the Athenian fleet defeated the invading Persian fleet thus saving Greece from Persian conquest.



BOEOTIA

PUBLISHED IN THE BOOK ATHENA ITONIA

10141. BOEOTIA, TANAGRA, Early-mid 4th century BC. AR Stater (11.72 g). Boeotian shield / Forepart of horse right, laurel garland around its neck; T-A flanking head; all within concave circle. BCD Boiotia 265. VF. Provenance: CNG 82 #97 and comes with their coin insert. Pleasing example of a very rare coin! Tanagra was famous in ancient Greece for the high artistic quality of its terra cotta figures.

Published in Athena Itonia: Geography and Meaning of an Ancient Greek Warrior Goddess, by Dr. Gerald V. Lalonde, Benedict Professor Emeritus of Classics, Grinnell College. Brill Academic, Leiden.



11122. BOEOTIA, THEBES, about 425-395 B.C. AR Stater, 23 mm, 11.95 g. Boeotian shield, club across upper half. Rev. [Θ- E] Bearded head of Dionysos r., crowned with ivy. BCD, Boeotia 436 (same reverse die). W.R. Roberts - B.V. Head, The Coinage of the Ancient Boeotians (1954) S. 36 Klasse 1b (Var.); BMC 54ff. Rare. Good style. Good VF, a superior example with both sides well centered. Provenance: Ex BCD collection.

SOLD.



10206. BOEOTIA, THEBES, Circa 395-338 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 12.20 g). Agla-, magistrate. Struck circa 363-338 BC. Boeotian shield / Amphora; AG-LA across field; all within incuse concave circle. Hepworth 1; BCD Boiotia 551. VF, toned. Ex. Collection RW.


10606. BOEOTIA, Federal Coinage. Circa 250 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 5.04 g, 12h). Head of Demeter or Kore crowned with grain ears facing slightly right / Poseidon standing right, holding trident and dolphin; to right, monogram above Boeotian shield. BCD Boiotia 98. Good VF, light marks. A wonderful example of very much superior style, with a sharp and well centered facing head of Demeter or Kore. A masterpiece of Greek numismatic art.


BOSPORUS


CORINTHIA


CRETE


ELIS

10142. ELIS, OLYMPIA, SILVER DRACHM, OLYMPIC COIN, 245-210 BC! 4.75 gm, 18 mm, nicely toned. Eagle with hare in talons/ Winged thunderbolt. Rare Olympic coin dating to the 132nd Olympiad in 252 BC to the 143rd Olympiad in 208 BC. BCD Olympia 238 (same dies). Pedigreed coin: From a large US coin dealer (Apollo Numismatics) and comes with their coin insert. EF. Rare and attractive coin!


10453. ELIS, OLYMPIA, VERY RARE LARGE BRONZE OLYMPIC COIN, 24 mm 2 Assaria, bronze, 50-30 BC. Obverse: Head of Hera wearing Stephane right. Reverse: eagle with closed talons on lightning bolt right; in the field F A, monogram. BCD, Olympia 307, very rare. Dark glossy patina. Good VF. Ex BCD collection.


EUBOIA

10161. EUBOEA, HISTIAIA. Silver Drachm 17mm (3.14 grams) Struck 350-340 B.C. Reference: Sear 2494; B.M.C. 8.2,3. Obverse: Head of nymph Histiaia right, wreathed with vine. Reverse: Cow standing right; vine with two bunches of grapes in background; monogram in field to right, ISTI in exergue. Situated in the far north of the island of Euboea, Histiaia did not begin producing coinage until the mid-4th Century B.C. From its extensive silver issues in the Hellenistic age it would appear to have been a place of considerable commercial importance. VF. A wonderful classical Greek reverse scene. Better than photo in the hand.


12955. EUBOEA, KARYSTOS. ALEXANDER OF KARYSTOS (c. 253-245 BC), Didrachm . Obv: Laureate and diademed head right. Rev: KAPYΣTIΩN. Nike driving galloping biga left, holding palm-branch and reins; wreath between Nike and horses. C.f. Wallace, Essays to Stanley Robinson, pl. 26, III/3. BCD Euboia 575ff. Near VF. A Very Rare and enigmatic issue.

This issue clearly bears the portrait of a living ruler as he wears a king's diadem rather than an attribute of a God. The identity of the portrait has been variously identified as either an unknown tyrant of Karystos (Wallace) or Antiochos III (Gardner, NC 1878 S. 97 ff.; Grunau-v. Hoerschelmann, p 9 Note 80.). However we follow JP Six (NC 1894 S 299 f.), Picard (p 151 et seq.) and O. Morkholm (Early Hellenistic Coinage from the Accession of Alexander to the Peace of Apamea, Cambridge 1991, p 157 f.), which recognizes the portrait being that of Alexander, the son of Antigonus Gonatas Craterus. This Alexander was the grandson of Craterus I, one of the most important generals of Alexander the Great, and the great-grandson of Antipater. Alexander from around 253/252 was king in Euboea and Corinth independently but was murdered around 245 BC.



8547. EUBOIA, PHOKIS, ca. 460 BC. AR Triobol, Sear 2347v. Bucranium (bull's head) facing/Head of Artemis l. in incuse square. EF/VF. Exceptional sharp high-profile bull head.


ILLYRIA

9385. ILLYRIA, EPIDAMNOS-DYRRHACHIUM, 400-350 BC. AR Stater, Sear 1890. Cow stg. r. looking back at suckling calf/DUR and club around square containing double stellate pattern. EF. Fine old cabinet toning. Excellent example.

SOLD.



LOKRIS

10482. LOKRIS, LOKRIS OPUNTII. 340-330 BC. AR Triobol (16mm, 2.51 g, 11h). Wreathed head of Demeter right / Ajax advancing right; helmet crest between legs, coiled serpent on inside of shield. BCD Lokris-Phokis 96. Good VF, toned. From the R.D. Frederick Collection.


MACEDON

10499. MACEDON, AKANTHOS, Circa 470-390 BC. AR Tetrobol (15mm, 2.40 g). Forepart of bull left, head right; Π, swastika, and olive spray above / Quadripartite incuse square. SNG ANS -; SNG Copenhagen -. Good VF, toned. Rare combination of control marks.

SOLD.



7707. MACEDON, LETE, 500-480 BC. Trihemiobol, Sear 1302. Naked Ithyphallic satyr running r./Quadripartite incuse. EF.


11287. MACEDON, MENDE, c. 450-425 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.95 g). Dionysos holding kantharos of wine and reclining left on back of donkey. Reverse: Circular disk with sixteen-rayed star; in each corner, a grape cluster flanked by trefoils; all within a thick linear square, around which is ethnic. Noe (ANS NNM 27, "The Mende/Kaliandra Hoard") Group III (cf. 86 for probably this obverse die); SNG ANS 348. Overstruck on an earlier coin. Roughness to obverse surface. Very Rare. Goo Very Fine. Provenance: Ex Goldberg Auction 55, lot 27; Ex Malter Auction XLVII (4/11/92), lot 56. Very rare!

SOLD.



MACEDONIAN KINGS

11170. MACEDONIAN KINGS, PHILIP II (father of Alexander the Great), 359-336 BC. temp. Philip II - Alexander III. Struck c. 340/36-328 BC. AV Stater (15mm, 18.59 g. total weight including ring, 6h). In the name and types of Philip. Amphipolis mint. Laureate head of Apollo right / Charioteer driving biga right; grain seed below. Le Rider 7 (D3/R7); SNG ANS 238-44. Good VF. Mounted in a modern gold ring of simple elegant style similar to those of ancient Greek rings, roughness and scratches on both coin and ring. Ring size: L 1/2 British, 6 1/4 US, 16.5 mm. internal diameter. Ring is 22 Karat. Of exceptionally fine style both in the obverse portrait with a wonderful wide laurel wreath with berries and the dynamism of the reverse with King Philip's chariot winning the Olympic races in commemoration of which these coins were produced. Wearable with care and very impressive on the finger!


12890. KINGS OF MACEDON, ALEXANDER THE GREAT, 336-323 BC. Gold distater (22mm, 16.78 g, 10h). Amphipolis mint. Struck for Philip III Arrhidaios, 323-317 BC in the name of Alexander III, the Great, under Antipater or Polyperchon, c. 322-317 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing helmet decorated with serpent / Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; thunderbolt in left field. Price 163; Troxell, Studies, Group C, 548. Good VF with a few minor scratches and scrapes. Rare double gold stater! Provenance: Ex Group SGF.

Alexander's conquests in the east made available to him the hoarded wealth of the Persian empire. The result was the creation of a gold and silver coinage that superseded anything that had come before and quickly became the international currency of the ancient world. Mints throughout his empire, from Macedonia to Susa struck his gold and silver issues. The predominant gold denomination was the Stater, but a few Distaters (double staters) such as this coin were also produced, primarily back in his home kingdom of Macedonia.



8553. MACEDON, SCARCE LIFETIME ISSUE OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm, issued under his authority during his lifetime. Head young Herakles wearing lionskin r./Zeus enthroned, holding his eagle and scepter. EF. A choice example of a rare lifetime issue type, the figure of Zeus wonderfully engraved bending slightly forward full of great energy as if ready to spring from his throne.


6516. MACEDONIAN KINGS, ALEXANDER THE GREAT, Alexander III, 336-323 BC, Mytilene. AR Tetradrachm (17.10 gm). Mytilene mint, struck c.188-170 BC. Obverse Head of Heracles right, wearing lion's skin. Reverse Zeus enthroned left, holding scepter and eagle; lyre and monogram in field to l; ivy leaf below. Price 1736. EF, with exceptional style and light toning. Ex. Waddell.


10338. MACEDON, KINGS, KASSANDER, 316-297 BC. AE Unit - 19mm. Helmet with cheek guards / BASILEWS left, KASSANDROU right; spear head. SNG Copenhagen 1163; Laffaille 315; SNG Tübingen 1171. VF


11280. MACEDONIAN KINGS, DEMETRIOS POLIORKETES, 306-283 BC. AR Tetradrachm (33 mm,16.74 g, 2h). Amphipolis mint. Diademed head right, with bull’s horn / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, Poseidon Pelagaios standing left, right foot on rock, holding trident in left hand SNG COP. 1177 var. Dewing 1201 var. Provenance: Ex GM Sale 22, lot 54, 1982. Choice toning and a beautiful portrait. Slight porosity on reverse fully toned over. Near EF. Struck from a freshly cut die with splendid detail in each lock of hair. The portrait of the finest Hellenistic style much superior to most for this ruler. Scarce.

SOLD.



13026. MACEDONIAN QUEEN CONSORT, EURYDIKE WIFE OF ANTIPATER II, 306-283 BC. IONIA, Smyrna (as Eurydikeia). Circa 290-287/1 BC. Æ (17mm, 3.84 g, 6h). Veiled head of Eurydike right / ΕΥΡΥΔΙΚΕΩΝ, tripod. Milne, Autonomous 5; SNG Copenhagen 1105. VF, dark green patina with earthen highlights/deposits. Rare. Good VF. An excellent example of this rare coin portraying the Macedonian princess Eurydike (not to be confused with a number of other Eurydikes of Macedon, Egypt,The Seleucid empire, or from Greek Mythology.)

At an unknown date, Lysimachus renamed the city Smyrna to Eurydiceia in honor of Eurydice, though the change didn't last long. Lysimachus issued coinage depicting Eurydice on the obverse as a veiled woman, although Eurydice never owned nor had any control of the city. Little is known of her life prior to marrying. See here for a biography.



10605. MACEDON, KINGS, ANTIGONOS III DOSON. 229-221 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.64 g, 11h). Amphipolis(?) mint. Struck circa 227-225 BC. Wreathed head of Poseidon right / Apollo seated left on prow left, holding bow; monogram below. EHC 436; Touratsoglou 52-3; SNG Munchen 1121-3; SNG Alpha Bank 1046-7; SNG Saroglos 933. Near VF, some porosity. Excellent style well centered example with reverse legends readable which is not common.

$1850.



11365. MACEDON, KINGS, PHILIP V, (222/21 - 179). Tetradrachm, 16.58 g. C. 220 Pella or Amphipolis mint. Bearded head of Philip right wearing diadem, the ends fluttering back. Rs: BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ΦIΛIΠΠOY. Archaic Athena Alkidemos wearing Attic helmet, jacket and Aegis border to the left, advancing with her right hand raised holding thunderbolt; in her left hand holding a shield; as Episemon wears a star in the lower left corner monogram. AMNG III 190 No. 2 (var, two monograms), Boehringer, chronology, Plate 7, 8 Vs. same dies, Rs var); SNG Cop -, SNG Munich 1124 (var). Rare. Near EF.

$6000.



11279. MACEDONIAN KINGS, PERSEUS, 179-168 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.88 g, 33 mm) Pella or Amphipolis mint, struck ca. 178-174 BC, Zoilos - magistrate. Diademed head right. / Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, Zoilos monogram above, MI right, below, all within a wreath (Mamroth Philip 8, SNG Copenhagen 1267). Choice grey toning and near EF. A wonderful Hellenistic portrait of the finest style much superior to most of the 'pinched face' or brutish portraits of this rule. A choice example. Provenance: Ex Spinks London private sale 2003.

SOLD.



10846. MACEDON, UNDER ROMAN ADMINISTRATION, ca. 167-148 B.C. AR tetradrachm. Amphipolis mint. 30 mm, 16.65 gm. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, bow and quiver over shoulder, in the center of a Macedonian shield / Club, monogram above; all within oak wreath, thunderbolt to left. SNG Copenhagen 1310. Sear 1386. EF.

SOLD.



8554. MACEDON UNDER ROME, AESILLAS QUAESTOR, ca. 90-75 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Sear 1439. Head of Alexander the Great r. with horn of Ammon and flowing hair, dot within circle behind neck/Club of Herakles between money chest and quaestor's chair, all within olive wreath. EF. Choice sharply struck high profile example, the finest I've carried. Old French collection tag, probably 19th century.

$2500



MEGARIS
(map)

10582. MEGARIS, MEGARA, 1st-2nd century BC. AE15, 4.58 gm. Kroll-Walker 218. Laureate head of Apollo right. Reverse: Tripod. VF. Ex BCD collection.


MESSENIA

8546. MESSENIA, MESSENE, 3rd-2nd century BC. AE21, Sear 2853v. Head Demeter r./Zeus hurling thunderbolt, eagle on outstretched hand, tripod lebes below. VG/F. Rare. Not in the greatest condition but a nice lively spade-bearded Zeus outlined well by a pleasing contrasting patina.


MOESIA


PAEONIA

9413. PAEONIA, LYKKEIOS, 359-340BC. Tetradrachm, S1518. Hd Zeus r./Herakles fighting Nemean lion. EF.

$2250.



11136. PAEONIA, PATRAOS. Circa 335-315 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.63 g, 11h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Warrior on rearing horse right, spearing enemy warrior who defends himself with raised shield; monogram in left field. Paeonian Hoard 339-44 (same dies); SNG ANS 1030 var. (same obv. die). Good VF, test cuts on edge.


SCYTHIA

10797. SKYTHIA, OLBIA. Late 5th-4th centuries BC. Cast AE As (67mm, 101.7 g, 1h). Gorgoneion with protruding tongue / Eagle flying right, holding dolphin. Zograph pl. XXXI, 1; SNG BM Black Sea 381-3. VF, natural surfaces. Uncommonly sharp features for this issue. One of the largest coins of the ancient world.


SIKYONIA

10159. SIKYONIA. Sikyon. Circa 360-340 BC. AR Stater (23mm - 11.91 g). Chimaera standing left; wreath above, SE below / Dove flying left within wreath, N below beak. BCD Peloponnesos 218; SNG Copenhagen 48. Good VF, some die wear and light roughness, well centered. Considerably better than photo in the hand.

SOLD,



THESSALY

10724. THESSALY, GYRTON. c. 1st half of 4th century BC. AE17. Youthful head of Gyrton? and horse’s head right. / Head of the nymph Gyrtonia right, ΓYPTΩNIΩN around. 16-17 mm, 4.73 g. An exceptionally well struck EF example of this interesting issue.


10791. THESSALY, KRANNON. Circa 350-300 BC. AE Dichalkon (16mm, 4.75 g, 5h). Horseman advancing right; K behind / Hydria on cart. Rogers 197 var. (no K on obv.); BCD Thessaly 1086 var. (ethnic); SNG Copenhagen 43 var. (no K on obv.). Good VF, brown patina. Excellent example of this very interesting reverse.


10500. THESSALY, LARISSA. Circa 460-420 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 5.76 g, 5h). Youth wrestling bull left, trailing petasos and cloak / Horse running right, trailing rein, within incuse square. Lorber, Thessalian 50; Herrmann group III, series F, pl. III, 3; SNG Copenhagen 108. Good VF, lightly toned, minor porosity. Ex Spink America (7 December 1995), lot 3060. Ex CNG.


10428. THESSALY, LARISSA. Circa 380-337 BC. AE (18mm, 8.92 g, 9h). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, wearing ampyx and necklace / Horseman advancing right; E above, M to right, grain ear below. Rogers 273; cf. SNG Copenhagen 136. VF, red-brown patina. Exceptionally beautifully rendered majestic stallion! Ex CNG.


DIES SIGNED BY 'AI'

8548. THESSALY, LARISSA, 344-321 BC. Signed AR Drachm by the master engraver 'AI', Lorber 21.2a. Head of the nymph Larissa facing 3/4 left, engraver's initial below border at 7 o'clock/Horse stg. l. with lowered head. EF. A few drachms of Larissa of exceptional beauty are known that are believed to be signed by the artist who engraved the dies known only as 'AI'. Certainly this wonderful head of the nymph with its great nobility touched with feminine sensuality embodies the finest in Classical Greek numismatic art.



8549. THESSALY, LARISSA, 344-321 BC. AR Drachm, SNG Cop 120. Head of the nymph Larissa facing 3/4 left/Horse about to roll r. EF. An especially beautiful head of the nymph engraved with great sensitivity and imbued with life, the horse also finely done, we can almost feel his anticipation of enjoyment as he prepares to roll over and give his back a good scratching.

SOLD.



7917. THESSALY, LARISSA, 460-400 BC. AR Trihemiobol, Sear 2109. Horseman pacing r., holding 2 spears/LARISSA, nymph Larissa std. r., holding patera, l. hand raised, all within incuse square. F+. Scarce. A beautiful highly evocative classical scene.

SOLD.



9397. THESSALY, TRIKKA, 440-400 BC. AR Obol, Copenhagen, 114/15. Horse prancing r. Reverse: TPIKKAI right down & ON left up; nymph bouncing a ball. VF. Rare. A charming type!

SOLD.



THRACE

FROM THE MICHAEL F. PRICE COLLECTION

12868. THRACE ABDERA, Circa 500-475 BC. AR Oktadrachm (26mm, 28.37 g). Griffin seated left, raising left foreleg; grape bunch and Δ to left / Quadripartite incuse square. May, Abdera, Period II, Group XVIII, 38 (A32/P36); AMNG II 13; Berlin 1 (same obv. die); Sartiges 159 (same dies). Good VF, toned, a little die wear on obverse. Very rare. Provenance: Ex Michael F. Price Collection (Stack's, 3 December 1996), lot 51.

Michael F. Price is a value investor, fund manager, and philanthropist. He is the 271st richest person in the world, according to Forbes. His exceptional collection of ancient Greek coins was auctioned by Stacks in its special December 1996 sale devoted entirely to the collection.



A CLASSIC OF GREEK NUMISMATIC ART

11376. THRACE, AINOS, Circa 370/69-368/7 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 14.91 g, 12h). Head of Hermes facing slightly left, wearing petasos / Goat standing right; to right, head of Hermes right, wearing flat-topped petasos. May, Ainos Group LVIII, 415 var. (A251/-), cf. 416 (A251/P296 [rev. die not illustrated); AMNG II -. VF, old cabinet toning. Provenance: Ex Gemini VI (10 January 2010), lot 79.

One of the classics of Greek Numismatic Art, and one of the coins featured in Kraay and Hirmer's wonderful 'Greek Coins' which plates examples of the finest of Greek Coins. Examples a little better have sold upwards of $37,000. See for example the same coin lot 34 in the 11/24 Genevenesis auction with a start price of 30,000 CHF.



10411. THRACE, AINOS, Tetradrachm, 453-451 BC. Obverse: Head of Hermes to right wearing petasos ornamented with ethnic AINI. Reverse: ANTIAΔAΣ around goat standing right within square, Pan to right holding pedum, all within square incuse. Jameson 1050. May 85. 16.30 g., 22.00mm. RR! Beautiful style and a very rare and attractive coin, with delicately toned patina.

SOLD.



9399. THRACE, AINOS, c. 435-405. AR diobol, S1567. Hd Hermes r/AIN, male goat standing right, club before. Nicely styled goat before. Toned EF. Rare! Better than image.


11041. THRACE, APOLLONIA PONTIKA. Mid-late 4th century BC. AR Drachm (14mm, 3.28 g, 9h). Facing gorgoneion / Anchor; A to left, crayfish to right. SNG BM Black Sea 159; SNG Copenhagen 456. EF, lightly toned. Choice sharp example.


8555. THRACE, BIZYA, Imperial times? AE21. Bearded male portrait head r./Nude youth stg. holding staff. EF. Very rare. A superb portrait, one of the finest in Greek art, depicting a personage of great nobility, yet with a relaxed air dressed casually in an wide-necked tunic. Probably one of the finest examples known of this rare coin and deserving of further study. Wonderful deep sea-green patina.


9410. THRACE, BYZANTION, ca. 230 BC. AR Tetradrachm, BMC 25, Sear (£900). Veiled hd. Demeter r. wreathed in corn./EPI MEN, Poseidon std r. on rocks holding aplustre and trident, S to r. Ex. Coin Galleries 11/2/77. VF+.


10176. THRACE, CHERSONESOS, Circa 480-350 BC. Silver Hemidrachm ( 2.38 gm.; 12 mm.). SNG Copenhagen 824-6 v. Obv: Forepart of lion right with raised right paw and head turned back. Rev: Quadripartite incuse square with alternating raised and sunken quarters, pellets in quarters.

Located on the Thracian peninsula on the northern border of the Hellespont (today's Dardanelles), the strait leading from the Aegean Sea to Propontis (today's Sea of Marmara) and the Euxine Pontus (today's Black Sea) - now called Gallipoli Peninsula.

The Thracian Chersonese was originally inhabited by Thracians. Settlers from Ancient Greece The Athenian, mainly of Ionian and Aeolian stock, founded about 12 cities on the peninsula in the 7th century BC. statesman Miltiades the Elder founded a major Athenian colony there around 560 BC. He took authority over the entire peninsula, building up its defenses against incursions from the mainland. It eventually passed to his nephew, the more famous Miltiades the Younger, around 524 BC. The peninsula was abandoned to the Persians in 493 BC. after the outbreak of the Greco-Persian Wars (499-478 BC). EF, choice fine styled example with all the lion on the flan.



8556. THRACE, MARONEIA, ca. 440-410 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Sear 1628v, (£1750 list), 14.24gm. Free horse prancing l, star above/Ethnic legend around grape arbor. VF. A Rare early tetradrachm, not the much more common stater. A fine example of Greek numismatic art.


8557. THRACE, MARONEIA, after 148 BC. AR Tetradrachm, Sear 1635. Head of young Dionysis wreathed with ivy r., his long hair drawn up into a swirl behind/Dionysis stg. naked l. holding grape bunch. VF. This obverse die the work of a Hellenistic master, a superb example of Greek art.


10174. THRACE, MESEMBRIA, Circa 350 BC. AE 16mm (3.82 g). Facing Corinthian helmet / Wheel of four spokes. SNG BM Black Sea 272-275; SNG Stancomb 225-228; Sear 1675 EF, brown patina. Scarce and desirable type. Perfectly centered, great patina and the helmet is superb and as good as they come.


9390. THRACE, OLBIA, IV-III cc. BC. AE. Borysthenes head left / double axe, bow in a bow case, OLBIO.


9351. THRACE, PANTIKAPION, 4th century BC. AE17, Sear_. Bearded head of Pan l./Bull head l. AEF. An excellent example. Arguably the best depiction of Pan in bronze.


8559. THRACE, PANTIKAPION, 4th century BC. AE20, Sear 1701. Head of young Pan wreathed with ivy l./Lion's head l., sturgeon l. below. EF. Scarce type in excellent condition with a fine depiction of the god.


11195. THRACO-MACEDONIAN REGION, SIRIS. AR 1/8 Stater - Trihemiobol, Circa 412-404 BC. AR Diobol. Satyr squatting right. / Quadripartite incuse.


10164. THRACIAN ISLANDS, THASOS, Circa 480-463 BC. Archaic AR Stater (20mm, 8.55 g). Satyr running right, carrying protesting nymph. / Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 5; SNG Copenhagen 1010-11. VF, toned, a few deposits. What I particularly like about this specimen is that all parts of both figures are well centered and clearly visible on the flan including both of the satyr's hooves and his phallus and testicles, and both the nymph's hands. I also much prefer this earlier fully archaic style before the satyr loses his hooves and deteriorates into merely a randy old Greek. By the way the obverse of this coin is invariably photographed incorrectly with the heads of the satyr and nymph at the same level. Clearly the correct orientation is with the figure of the satyr upright which is required for him to keep his balance while running. This brings the nymph lower on the flan which is to be expected since she is the submissive figure in the scene. See the accompanying photo for the correct orientation.


10877. THRACIAN ISLANDS, THASOS, Circa 412-404 BC. AR Trihemiobol (12mm, 0.80 g, 2h). Silenos kneeling left, holding kylix / Amphora within incuse square. Le Rider,Thasiennes 27; SNG Copenhagen 1029-30; HGC 6, 351. VF, porous, small edge split.


10878. THRACIAN ISLANDS, THASOS, Circa 412-404 BC. AR Hemiobol (8mm, 0.41 g, 12h). Head of satyr right / Two dolphins within shallow incuse. Le Rider, Thasiennes 12; SNG Copenhagen 1033-4; HGC 6, 340. VF.


9389. THRACE, THASOS, 411-350 BC. AR Drachm, Copenhagen 1023. Hd. Dionysos l./Herakles drawing bow r. within square. EF. Rare.

SOLD.



11034. ISLANDS OFF THRACE, THASOS. Circa 168/7-148 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.84 g, 12h). Wreathed head of young Dionysos right / Herakles standing facing, head left, holding club, lion skin draped over left arm; monogram to inner left. Prokopov group VIII, 137 (VHa2/R119); Le Rider, Thasiennes 51; HGC 6, 359. VF, toned.


STRONG PORTRAIT OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT

10197. KINGS of THRACE. LYSIMACHOS. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 16.95 g, 9h). Amphipolis mint. Struck 288/7-282/1 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; monogram to inner left, monogram in exergue, monogram to outer right. Thompson 207; Müller 539 corr. (outer right monogram). VF, toned. Wonderfully bold and expressive portrait.



WEIGHTS

UNIQUE? GREEK DEKADRACHM WEIGHT

8526. Greece, c. 5th-4th century BC. The oblong weight with a high relief molded bucranium. 1.1 x 1.25 inches. 44.28 gm. The bull's head a reminder of the early Greek identification of coins with the objects for which they were exchanged. Extremely rare and worthy of further study. I know of no other examples of this dekadrachm weight.