LOT 2681
Thessaly, Larissa AR Drachm. 440-420 BC.
Thessalos, petasus and cloak tied at neck, holding band across horns of bull to right / ΛΑ-ΡIΣ (ΡΙΣ retrograde), bridled horse galloping to right. BCD Thessaly I 1122; BCD Thessaly II 170; SNG Copenhagen 99; HGC 4, 414. Near Extremely Fine. Toned with blue iridescence around the devices on obverse.(5.96gr, 20mm, 12h.).
ProvenanceAcquired from Kevin Cheek (Elizabeth A. Cheek Trust Collection) in May 2011.
Published in 'The Celator' December 1988.
From the article 'Artistic choice. Archaic style lived on Larissa' of Kevin R. Cheek about this coin in The Celator, December 1988, p. XXIIII: This remarkable issue is a combination of ''Archaic Period'' art and composition blended with ''Classical Period'' detail and design. The ''Archaic Period'' artistic style, readily seen on the obverse, is highlighted by the heavy body muscles of the bull wrestler seemingly flexing towards the viewer of the piece. The ''Archaic Period'' composition is noted with the heavy dot border, thick chunky flan, and deep reverse incuse. ''Classical Period'' detail and design is apparent relative to the delicate designed sandals, detailed neck-ribbing of the robust bull, and long-necked body of the horse. The artist has thus created a piece in which the bull wrestler commands sheer power over a stout adversary as the movement of the encounter gently displaces the petasus from the wrestler. The petasus may be significant in that there are many examples of as petasus being associated with the regal coinage of Macedonia.
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Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra VII Thea Neotera AE Obol-40 Drachmai. Circa 51-30 BC.
Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Alexandria mint. Diademed and draped bust to right / [KΛEOΠATPAC BACIΛICCHC], eagle standing to left on thunderbolt; double cornucopiae to left, M (mark of value) to right. Svoronos 1872; Weiser 184-5; SNG Copenhagen 422-4; Noeske 383. 9.59gr, 22mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine.
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Time of Ptolemy VI to VIII AE 28mm. Circa 180-116 BC.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Alexandria mint. Series 7C. Horned head of Zeus-Ammon to right, wearing tainia with basileion / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙ[ΛΕΩΣ], two eagles with closed wings standing to left on thunderbolt; double cornucopiae to left. Svoronos 1424 (Joint reign of Ptolemy VI and VII); Faucher & Lorber Series 7C; SNG Copenhagen 308-10 (Joint reign of Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VIII). 23.14gr, 28mm, 12h.
Very Fine.
From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. -
Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £276
Head of Athena with profile eye to right, wearing disc earring, pearl necklace and a crested Attic helmet adorned with three olive leaves and a pi-style palmette / ΑΘΕ, owl standing to right, head facing the viewer, olive sprig with berry and crescent moon in upper left field, all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 16.44gr, 23mm, 10h.
Near Very Fine.
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s.
