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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Ionia, Teos AR Tetartemorion. Circa 450-425 BC.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
Griffin seated to right, raising forepaw / Quadripartite incuse square. SNG Copenhagen 1442. 0.15gr, 7mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine.
Acquired on the European coin market. Property of a Kent, UK, gentleman. -
Aeolis, Myrina AR Tetradrachm. Circa 160-143 BC.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
Laureate head of Apollo to right / ΜΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ, Apollo Grynios standing to right, holding filleted branch and phiale; monogram to left, omphalos and amphora at feet; all within laurel wreath. Cf. Sacks Issue 23. 11.24gr, 35mm, 12h.
Near Extremely Fine. Toned. Scratch on obverse.
Acquired on the European coin market. Property of a Kent, UK, gentleman. -
Macedon, Olynthos AE 16mm. Circa 432-348 BC.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £65
Laureate head of Apollo to right / XAΛKIΔEΩN (retrograde) around lyre. SNG ANS 552-553. 3.90gr, 16mm, 9h.
Very Fine.
Acquired on the European coin market. Property of a Kent, UK, gentleman.
