LOT 3152
Cyclades, Karthaia on Keos AE 17mm. Circa late 3rd-2nd centuries BC.
Laureate head of Apollo to right / Radiate forepart of the dog Seirios to right; KAPΘΑ above, bee below. BMC 44; SNG Copenhagen -; HGC 6, 560. Near Very Fine. Rare.(3.92gr, 17mm, 12h.).
ProvenanceAcquired on the European coin market.
Property of a Kent, UK, gentleman.
The citizens of Keos watched for the rising of the Seirios ('Dog Star', the brightest star in the night sky) every year from the mountaintops. By observing the appearance of the star, the inhabitants would try to determine whether the island would suffer from epidemics or not. If the star appeared clear and bright, the islanders would experience a healthy year, but if it appeared misty and dull, disease would spread across the island.
There was a cult where the inhabitants of Keos tried to guard against the effects of Seirios using rituals. They prayed to Aristaios, the son of Apollo and Kyrene, who was taught both medicine and divination by the Centaur Chiron. He came to the island, built an altar, and ordered the islanders to pray to Zeus for refreshing winds and rains (see Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.518 ff).
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AUCTIONS:
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Caria, Karyanda AE 9mm. Circa 400-390 BC.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £104
Female head to right / KAP, head of eagle to left. Konuk 2012, 350, fig. 8; HNO Online 2160. 0.63gr, 9mm, 9h.
Very Fine. Exceedingly rare city; the first specimen of this type to appear on the market.
Acquired on the European coin market. Property of a Kent, UK, gentleman. -
Kings of Numidia, Massinissa or Micipsa AE Unit. 203-148 BC or 148-118 BC.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Laureate head to left / Horse galloping to left; Punic letters 'mem' and 'nun' below. CNP 145j (Massinissa). 12.62gr, 26mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine.
Acquired on the UK art market. From the collection of Mr Carlos Bahamonde, Manchester, UK. -
Seleukid Empire, Seleukos I Nikator AE 21mm. Second satrapy and kingship, struck circa late 280s BC. Antioch on the Orontes mint.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £33
Winged head of Medusa to right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ, bull butting to right; Ξ in exergue. SC 21.2b; HGC 9, 92a corr. (SC citation). 7.41gr, 21mm, 8h.
Near Very Fine.
Acquired on the European coin market. Property of a Kent, UK, gentleman.
