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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Judaea, John Hyrcanus I AE Prutah. 135-104 BCE.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Jerusalem mint. A over "Yehohanan the High Priest and head of the Council of the Jews" in paleo-Hebrew within wreath / Two cornucopiae splayed outward, adorned with ribbons; pomegranate/poppy between. Hendin 6171; TJC A; Sofaer 6-29. 1.67gr, 14mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine. Fully centred inscription. Rare in this condition.
Property of a North London, UK, gentleman. -
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Ptolemy VI Philometor AR Didrachm. Second sole reign, 163-145 BC.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £39
Uncertain mint in Cyprus. Dated year 116 of an uncertain era (147/6 BC). Diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, aegis around neck / ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ, eagle standing to left on thunderbolt; P-Iς (date) across field. Svoronos 1226; SNG Copenhagen 561; DCA 76. 6.65gr, 21mm, 12h.
Near Very Fine.
Private collection, acquired 1980–1985. -
Rhodos, Rhodes AR Drachm. Circa 88/42 BC-AD 14.
Sold for (Inc. bp): £221
ΣΩΜΑΧΟΣ (Somachos), magistrate. Radiate head of Helios facing slightly to right / Rose of six petals seen from above; ΣΩΜΑΧΟΣ above, P-O across fields, palm branch to left below. Unpublished magistrate's name in the major references including Ashton. 4.00gr, 21mm, 8h.
Good Very Fine. The second known example of this magistrate [Numismatik Naumann 82, 156 (hammer 1,200 EUR).
Property of a North London, UK, gentleman.
The name Somachos is not found anywhere else, although it does not appear to be of Rhodian origin (for more see Alan J. Nussbaum, Rhodian Personal Names in Αγλου-, Αριστου-, Τιμου- and the Dialect History of the Island, p. 455 in 'A Tribute to Massimo Poetto on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday', Warsaw, 2019).
