From the Dekadrachm Series

One of the Finest Known

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa late 470s BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring and crested Attic helmet decorated with spiral palmette and three olive leaves / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, AΘE before; all within incuse square. Starr Group II.A, cf. pl. II, 18 for very similar reverse die and pl. III, 20 for very similar obv. die; Seltman 420 (same rev. die, P536); Svoronos pl. 8, 20 (same rev. die); HGC 4, 1593. 17.20g, 24mm, 1h.

Good Very Fine; displaying a full helmet crest. Very Rare; from the Dekadrachm series.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXII, 7 October 2021, lot 206.

Late ‘Transitional’ Issue

128. 450

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 460-454 BC. Late “transitional” issue. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Starr pl. XXII, 1; Kroll 8; HGC 4, 1596. 17.20g, 24mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 88.

Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 85.

Full Helmet Crest

Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31; HGC 4, 1597. 17.22g, 25mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; lightly toned, and displaying a full helmet crest.

From the inventory of a North American dealer; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 62, 17 October 2019, lot 169.

1,200

131.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 144.

132.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 164.

133.

Near Mint State; light cabinet tone.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 177.

134.

Good Extremely Fine.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 90, 18 November 2021, lot 160.

137.

Good Extremely Fine.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 126.

138.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 148.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 93, 6 January 2022, lot 206.

139.

140.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-034).

450

141. 450

NGC Graded Ch AU 5/5 - 5/5 (#4883344-002).

From a private European collection.

142. 450

NGC Graded Ch AU 4/5-5/5 (#4883344-025).

From a private European collection.

143. 450

144.

NGC Graded Ch AU 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-026).

From a private European collection.

145.

NGC Graded Ch AU 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-027).

From a private European collection.

146.

450

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-029).

From a private European collection.

450

NGC Graded MS 4/5 - 5/5 (#4883344-011).

From a private European collection.

450

147.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#4883344-012).

From a private European collection.

148.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-014).

From a private European collection.

Full Helmet Crest

149.

NGC Graded Au 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-013). Full helmet crest visible.

From a private European collection.

450

150.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-028).

From a private European collection.

450

151. 450

152.

NGC Graded Ch AU 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-035).

From a private European collection.

153.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-033).

From a private European collection.

154.

450

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-016).

From a private European collection.

450

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 4/5 (#4883344-017).

From a private European collection.

450

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6555701-011).

From a private European collection.

156. 450

157.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6555701-012).

From a private European collection.

158.

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6555701-013).

From a private European collection.

450

NGC Graded MS 5/5 - 5/5 (#6555701-014).

From a private European collection.

450

159.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 163.

160.

Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 91, 2 December 2021, lot 175.

161.

Near Mint State.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 123.

162.

Mint State; brilliant lustre.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 89, 28 October 2021, lot 138.

163.

Near Perfect Specimen

165.

Attica, Athens AR Drachm. Circa 454-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing earring, necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl / Owl standing to right, with head facing; olive sprig and berry in upper left field, AΘE to right; all within incuse square. Kroll 10; SNG Copenhagen 41-3; HGC 4, 1631. 4.28g, 17mm, 8h.

Near Mint State; a near-perfect specimen, boasting wonderful detail and a stunning old cabinet tone.

Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, old collector’s tickets included.

The Siege of Athens

1,500

Attica, Athens Fourrée Tetradrachm. Circa 406-404 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace / Owl standing to right with head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ before; all within incuse square. Cf. Kroll 8; cf. Dewing 1591-8; cf. SNG Copenhagen 31; cf. HGC 4, 1597. 14.61g, 25mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; bronze core showing through plating in a few spots, somewhat irregular rev. style.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 90, 18 November 2021, lot 200.

The extraordinary emergency issue of plated tetradrachms and drachms by Athens in about 405 BC was forced on them after the loss of control of the silver mines at Laurion, and due to the ongoing expense of the Peloponnesian war with Sparta which was then in its terminal stage. After Athens’ capitulation and the re-establishment of the government these coins were withdrawn from circulation around 403-402 BC, leaving surviving examples such as the present piece to be rare reminders of this tragic episode in the history of Athens.

Attica, Athens AR New Style Tetradrachm. Circa 166/5 BC. Timarchos, Nikag(oras), and Lysia- magistrates. Head of Athena Parthenos to right, wearing necklace, pendant earring, and triple-crested Attic helmet decorated with the protomes of four horses above the visor, Pegasos in flight rightward above the raised earpiece, and curvilinear ornament on the bowl / Owl standing to right, head facing, on amphora with I (month); A-ӨE above TIM-APXOY NIKAΓ ΛYΣIA (magistrates’ names) in four lines across field, anchor and star to left, ΣΦ below; all within wreath. Thompson 364c; HGC 4, 1602. 16.84g, 32mm, 11h.

Extremely Fine; well-centred.

Acquired from Baldwin’s Auctions Ltd.

1,350

Attica, Athens AR New Style Tetradrachm. Circa 138/7 BC. Glau- and Eche-, magistrates. Head of Athena Parthenos to right, wearing necklace, pendant earring, and triple-crested Attic helmet decorated with the protomes of four horses above the visor, Pegasos in flight rightward above the raised earpiece, and curvilinear ornament on the bowl / Owl standing to right, head facing, on amphora with N (retrograde, month); A-ӨE above ΓΛ-AY EXE (magistrates’ names) in two lines across field, head of Helios in right field, HP in left field; all within wreath. Thompson 305 = SNG Berry 714 (same dies); HGC 4, 1602. 16.70g, 33mm, 12h.

166. 600

Extremely Fine. Rare.

From a private European collection.

Islands off Attica, Aegina AR Stater. Circa 470-440 BC. Sea turtle, head in profile, with ‘T’ design in pellets on shell / Large square incuse with skew pattern. Meadows, Aegina, Group IIIa; Milbank Period III, pl. I, 13 (same obv. die); Gulbenkian 523; Kraay-Hirmer 336; Jameson 1199; SNG Copenhagen 507; HGC 6, 435. 12.42g, 20mm.

Near Extremely Fine; attractive example.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XXIII, 24 March 2022, lot 134.

Boiotia

168.

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 390-382 BC. Damo-, magistrate. Boiotian shield / Amphora, with ivy-spray hanging from left handle; club above, ΔAMΩ across fields; all within incuse circle. BCD Boiotia 490; Hepworth 21; BMC 129; HGC 4, 1330. 12.30g, 25mm.

Extremely Fine; stunning old cabinet tone.

Ex Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Auction 93, 6 September 2016, lot 1519.

169.

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 390-382 BC. Damo-, magistrate. Boiotian shield / Amphora, with ivy-spray hanging from left handle; club above, ΔAMO across fields; all within incuse circle. BCD Boiotia 490; Hepworth 21; BMC 129; HGC 4, 1330. 12.26g, 24mm.

Near Extremely Fine; wonderful old cabinet tone with iridescent blue highlights.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex collection of the Landolt Family (Zurich), mainly formed in the early to mid 20th century, Nomos AG, obolos 4, 21 February 2016, lot 238.

170.

Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 379-368 BC. Klee(s?)-, magistrate. Boiotian shield / Amphora; incense burner to right, KV-E[…] across fields. Hepworth 65-66; BCD Boiotia 504-505; Myron Hoard pl. E, 4-5; HGC 4, 1331.

NGC graded AU 4/5-3/5 (#6290606-014). Attractive old cabinet tone with iridescent highlights.

1,350

Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics; Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection, likely acquired during the 1950s-1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic dealership in New York, Stack’s Bowers Galleries (& Ponterio), January 2022 NYINC Auction, 14 January 2022, lot 4241.

171.

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 379-368 BC. Klee-, magistrate. Boiotian shield / Amphora; incense burner to right, [K]V-EE across fields. Hepworth 65; BCD Boiotia 504; Myron Hoard pl. E, 4; HGC 4, 1331.

NGC graded Ch AU 4/5-4/5 (#6290606-017). Attractive old cabinet tone.

1,350

172.

Boiotia, Thebes AR Stater. Circa 379-368 BC. Boeotian shield / Amphora; ΔΑ-ΙΜ across fields. BMC 126; BCD Boiotia 523. 12.21g, 23mm.

Extremely Fine.

Acquired from Morton and Eden Ltd; Ex European Ambassador Collection, formed in the 1950s and 1960s.

Cyclades

173.

Cyclades, Kythnos AR Tetrobol. Circa 475-460 BC. Boar’s head to right / Quadripartite incuse square. A. K. Kyrou, D. N. Artemis, The Silver Coinage of Kythnos in the Early Fifth Century BC, Studies Price, pl. 51, 15; Sheedy 30a; Traité I 783 (Lycia); Jameson 2315 (Lycia). 3.88g, 15mm.

Extremely Fine. Extremely rare, and exceptional for the type.

From a private European collection.

Aggression and Valour

Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 470-430 BC. Bull collapsing to left, head half-facing, attacked and mauled by lion upon his back to right; tunny fish to left in exergue / ΑΚΑΝΘΙΟΝ around raised quadripartite square; all within incuse square. Cf. Desneux 102 (unlisted dies); HGC 3.1, 385. 17.08g, 27mm, 8h.

Good Extremely Fine.

From a private European collection.

The ubiquitous and persistent theme of the lion-bull combat can be traced back to the figurate art of the third millennium, where the geometrical motifs are replaced by narrative symbolic representations, and the scene is characteristic of Near Eastern art in its infancy. The earliest known depiction occurs on a ewer found at Uruk dated to the latter part of the Protoliterate period, circa 3300 BC. That ewer has a relief depiction of a lion attacking a bull from behind (see Henri Frankfort, Art and Architecture of the Ancient Orient, 1963). The scene became widely distributed by 500 BC, featuring prominently in the Achaemenid Empire, and in particular at the palace of Darios in Persepolis, where it occurs no fewer than twenty seven times, including on the main staircase leading to the imperial complex. Its frequent appearance in key locations strongly suggests an important symbolic significance, which unfortunately has not survived antiquity in any explicitly clear form.

Explanations for the symbolism and its power over the ancient peoples who reproduced it with prodigious enthusiasm have ranged from it being an expression of royal power, to an astronomical allusion, as well as it being an embodiment of the constant struggle between civilisation (represented by the domesticated bull) and nature (represented by the untameable lion). This latter argument may well hold true for the Mesopotamians of Uruk, who it is known took a rather grim view of the world, seeing it as a battleground of opposing powers.

One interpretation that has gained traction in recent years is that the motif is apotropaic in nature, serving to ward off evil in a similar function to the gorgoneion, which like the lion attack motif is very prevalent in ancient Greek coinage, though there is little evidence to support such a notion.

G. E. Markoe (‘The Lion Attack in Archaic Greek Art’, Classical Antiquity Vol. 8, 1, 1989) convincingly suggests that a more likely explanation may be found in the examination of archaic Greek epic poetry, particularly in Homeric literature, wherein a lion attacking cattle or sheep is repeatedly employed as a simile for the aggression and valour of combatant heroes. In notable passages, Agamemnon’s victorious advance against the Trojans in the Iliad (11.113ff and 129) and Hektor’s successful pursuit of the Achaeans (15.630ff) are both likened to a lion triumphing over its hapless prey. In both of these cases the allusion is completed by the defeated being compared to fleeing prey animals. In all, there are twenty five examples present in the Iliad of heroic warriors being compared to leonine aggressors, with the victims variously compared to boars, sheep, goats, bulls or deer. The repetition of this literary device is clearly demonstrative of how deeply rooted the imagery was in the Greek (and perhaps more generally human) consciousness. Of further and great significance is the involvement of the gods as the primary instigators of heroic leonine aggression in almost every case, and as it is made clear that the lion itself is an animal that is divinely directed to its prey (11.480, by a daimon), so then is the lion attack a metaphor for divinely inspired heroic triumph.

The lion and bull motif was apparently adopted early on by Akanthos (c. 530-500 BC), though the lion and the bull were in any case among the earliest figures to appear on coinage - the mid-6th century BC coinage of the Lydian kings Alyattes and Kroisos is the best example of this usage. Already by this time too, the lion attack motif was in popular usage in mainland Greece - see for example the near contemporary Attic black-figure tripod in the manner of the KY Painter (Athens 12688). Persian influence on the design of tetradrachms of Akanthos can perhaps be inferred from an orientalising of style resulting in an appearance more similar to the reliefs at Persepolis (cf. Roma XVI, lot 201, dated circa 480-470 BC); Herodotos (7.116) records the Akanthians officially welcomed the Persians and willingly helped Xerxes: ‘Xerxes... declared the Akanthians his guests and friends, and gave them Median clothing, praising them for the zeal with which he saw them furthering his campaign.’ Having thus taken part in the Persian campaign against Greece of its own accord, when Xerxes was defeated, Akanthos subsequently become a member of the Delian League. It is tempting to see in the rewesternisation of the style of their coinage a reflection of this political volte-face.

175. 4,500

176.

Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 470-430 BC. Bull collapsing to left, head raised, attacked and mauled by lion upon his back to right; tunny fish to left in exergue / ΑΚΑΝΘΙΟΝ around raised quadripartite square; all within incuse square. Astarte XIX, 776 = Hess Divo 309, 37 (same dies); cf. Desneux 98 (same rev. die); HGC 3.1, 385. 16.91g, 29mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; obv. light golden tone with underlying lustre.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 October 2020, lot 123.

177.

Macedon, Akanthos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 470-430 BC. Bull collapsing to left, head raised, attacked and mauled by lion upon his back to right; tunny fish to left in exergue / ΑΚΑΝΘΙΟΝ around raised quadripartite square; all within incuse square. Desneux 96ff; Weber 1863; HGC 3.1, 385; Roma XXV, 252 (same dies). 17.31g, 30mm, 9h.

Extremely Fine.

From the Arethusa Collection;

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 72, 25 June 2020, lot 233.

Ex Roma Auction I, 2010

3,000

Macedon, Neapolis AR Hemidrachm. Circa 410-380 BC. Gorgoneion facing, with open mouth and tongue protruding / Head of nymph to right; N-EO-Π around; all within shallow circular incuse. Dewing 1607; SNG Copenhagen 227-8; SNG Lockett 1358; SNG ANS 448; HGC 3.1, 588. 1.85g, 15mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine; attractive iridescent cabinet tone.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 114, 6 May 2019, lot 1083; Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction I, 15 October 2010, lot 44; Ex Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Auction 59, 30 May 2010, lot 2064.

178.

Kingdom of Macedon, Archelaos I AR Stater. Circa 413-399 BC. Youthful head of Apollo to right, wearing taenia / Horse walking to right, with right foreleg raised and rein trailing; [A]PX[E]ΛAO around. Westermark Group II, Series 1, O28/R41; SNG ANS 68-70; HGC 3.1, 795. 10.69g, 23mm, 2h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive old cabinet tone. Rare.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Triton V, 15 January 2002, lot 706.

179.

2,100

Macedon, Chalkidian League AR Tetradrachm. Olynthos, circa 420-379 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to left / Kithara with seven strings; ΧΑ[ΛΚΙΔ]

ΕΩΝ around. Robinson & Clement Group L, 59 (A40/P53); SNG ANS 479 (same dies); HGC 3.1, 497. 14.22g, 25mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; struck in high relief and of fine style.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 94, 24 February 2022, lot 164 (since professionally conserved); Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 37, 24 June 2017, lot 133.

2,400

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AR Tetradrachm. Amphipolis, circa 355-348 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right / ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ, Philip on horseback to left, raising hand; M below raised foreleg, trident head to left below belly. Le Rider Group IB, 37 (D22/R31); SNG ANS 462-6; HGC 3.1, 861. 14.25g, 25mm, 7h.

Mint State; virtually as struck, highly lustrous metal. Very Rare; particularly so in such remarkable condition.

Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., Auction XX, 29 October 2020, lot 130.

Philip, despite Athenian opposition to his participation in the Olympics on the grounds that he was a non-Greek, went on to become an Olympic victor three times in 356, 352 and 348 BC. On the first occasion, Plutarch reports that upon having conquered Potidaia Philip was informed that his horse had won its race, and that this day he also learned of the victory of his general Parmenion against the Illyrians, and that his wife Myrtale had given birth to a son, Alexander. In commemoration of his Olympic victory, Philip decreed that his wife should henceforth be known as Olympias, and he caused coins such as this to be struck, proudly displaying both he and his horse in victorious stance upon the reverse.

The presence of Zeus’s head on the obverse of Philip’s coinage was a novelty in Macedonian coinage, and its sudden appearance is closely connected with both types of Philip’s tetradrachms - both the more mature, cloaked rider (as depicted here), and the younger, nude rider holding a victor’s palm - as well as his other denominations. While in his extensive work Le Rider identifies the mature horseman seen on the reverse of this type as the king himself, he makes no attempt to explain the young rider holding the palm branch as seen on lot 185. Caltabiano (the identity of the two horsemen on Philip II’s coinage, Ancient Macedonia, Sixth International Symposium, vol. 1, p. 201) however proposes that the use of the heads of Zeus and Apollo on Philip’s coinage, as well as the older and younger horsemen, suggest an important father-son relationship: that of Philip and his heir Alexander. Isokrates proposed that Zeus here represents “the conceit of a royal power” whose right to rule, as theorised by Isokrates, comes directly from Zeus, and whose continuity is assured by the hereditary principle. This interpretation is reinforced by the heroon that Philip built in the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia after his victory at Chaeroneia, in which were contained the statues of Philip and Olympias, his parents Amyntas and Eurydice, and his son Alexander. The latter, whose chryselephantine image stood in an eminent position, had played a glorious and distinguished role in the battle, breaking and routing the Greek right flank with his cavalry. Thus, if we are to see in the cloaked older rider the figure of Philip himself, we must see in the younger rider a representation of his son Alexander. If we may accept Caltabiano’s hypothesis as quite likely, then the present coin potentially affords us one of the best-preserved depictions of Philip II of Macedon, who is undeniably one of the most influential figures in all of recorded history around whose life and death and legacy pivoted the fate of the known world.

181.

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AV 1/12 Stater. Pella, circa 345-336 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right / ΦIΛIΠΠOY, thunderbolt above, facing lion head below. Le Rider pl. 83, 29 (D19/R18); Traité IV pl. CCCVI, 28; SNG ANS 209-15; SNG Alpha Bank 252-4; HGC 3.1, 857. 0.74g, 8mm, 6h. Near Extremely Fine.

From the collection of GK.

182.

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AV Stater. Magnesia, circa 323-315 BC. Laureate head of Apollo to right / Charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving galloping biga to right; spearhead and [bee] below horses, ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ in exergue. Thompson, Studia Naster pl. VII, 2; SNG ANS 310 var. (arrangement of symbols); Le Rider -. 8.54g, 29mm, 12h.

Extremely Fine. Very rare with these symbols.

From the Arethusa Collection; Ex Morton & Eden Ltd, Auction 104, 14 November 2019, lot 41.

183.

1,200

Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II AR Tetradrachm. Amphipolis, circa 323-317 BC. Laureate head of Zeus to right / Youth on horseback to right, holding reins and long palm branch; aphlaston below, Π below raised foreleg, ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ around. Le Rider pl. 46, 18; Troxell, Studies, group 8, 317; SNG ANS 738. 14.15g, 25mm, 12h.

Good Extremely Fine; attractive hints of iridescence around devices.

Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 321, 25 October 2012, lot 9; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica AG, Auction 2, 21 February 1990, lot 139.

184.

From the Dekadrachm Series

Next Article

One of the Finest Known

Late ‘Transitional’ Issue

Full Helmet Crest

Full Helmet Crest

Near Perfect Specimen

The Siege of Athens

Boiotia

Ex Mark and Lottie Salton Collection

Cyclades

Aggression and Valour

Ex Roma Auction I, 2010

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This article is from:

Auction XXVII