weight 9,24gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Centaur galloping to right, carrying off nymph whose
right hand is raised in protest, legend behind (off flan).
rev. Quadripartite incuse square.

This stater is a variety on the Thraco-Macedonian staters that depict ithyphallic silens who carry off a violently resisting nymph. That these had religious significance on Thasos is suggested by a late sixth-century Thasian relief of an ithyphallic silen holding a kantharos, with an accompanying niche of offerings. For the Thraco-Macedoniana themselves as well for the Greeks, the silen-nymph images can be interpreted as a reflection of Dionysiac cult. Dionysos was an important deity in the area of Pangaion, and one theory holds that he is Thracian or part-Thracian in origin.

The Pangaion area was closely associated with the myth of Lykourgos, a Thracian king of the Edonoi who lived beside river Strymon, who was punished when he attacked the young god Dionysos. Dionysos was nursed in mountain Nysa (Pangaion). This tale appears first in Homer, who tells of the anraged king who once chased the nurses of maddened Dionysos down holy mountain Nysa (Pangaion). Dionysos in a panic leapt down into the sea, and Thetis, a sea nymph, received him terrified into het bosom.

The silen-nymph motif was enthusiastically used by local tribes and dynasts arount Mount Pangaion. The Orreskians are thought to have been a Thracian people neighboring the Bisaltaians and the Edoneans. Nothing else is known abouyt the Orreskian tribe. The silver coinage of the early fifth century BC shows that they had access to the rich silver mines of Mount Pangaion in this period. The silen is replaced by a centaur on their coins. Their association with the nymphs is more difficult to explain but is paralelled in Thessaly. In the case of the Orreskioi, there might have been a direct association between their tribal name and the Homeric characterization (Il.I.268) of the centaurs as oreskooi, ″mountain dwelling″. Expert on this subject Hammond suggests that the centaur-nymph coins represent a fertility cult analogous to that of the Dionysiac silens and nymphs.

This theme is frequently depicted on coins and is sometimes interpreted as a metaphor of the opposition between the Greeks and the barbarians. Tales of centaurs attacking women can be found throughout the Greek mythological cannon. One of them is the Centauromachy. At the wedding feast of King Pirithous of the Lapiths and his bride Hippodameia, the centaurs, unused to alcohol, get drunk and assault the women and young boys. Eurytion, one of the centaurs, attempts to abduct the bride. The following fight between the centaurs and the Lapiths is depicted on the Temple of Apollo at Bassai.

The brutality and wild nature of the centaurs, particularly towards women, is also described in the legend of Herakles. Herakles attempts to cross the large river Evenus with his new wife Deianeira. The centaur Nessos offers to help. He carries Deianeira across the river, but half way across he tries to molest her. Herakles, fires a poison arrow at the centaur. Before he dies, the centaur persuades Deianeira to take some of his blood as a love potion to use on Herakles in the future. Many years later, Deianeira, who was jealous of rumours about Herakles and Iole (daughter of Eurytus), puts the blood on his cloak in an attempt to win him back. After realising that she had poisoned her husband, she kills herself.

BMC p.147,9 ; SNG.Copenhagen 195 ; Svoronos plate VI, 15 ;
AMNG III,2, page 92, no. 16-17 ; SNG.ANS.480 ; cf. Sear 1325 ;
HGC 3, no.314 R
(cf. Nomos AG, auction 7, lot 35 in xf-: SFR 8.000 + 15%)
Rare an highly interesting historical coin.
vf-

weight 1,01gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.

obv. Goat kneeling right, head left, dot above and in front
rev. Quadripartite incuse square.

The attribution of the coin type is controversial. Traditionally this issue is attributed to the Derrones or to Edessa (the old name of Aigai), as part of the early tribal Macedonian regal series. Others attribute it to the Thraco-Macedonian tribes of the Mygdones or Krestones. 

BMC p.38, 6 (Aigai / Edessa) ;
Weber collection 1852 ; Babelon, Traité Pl.XLIX, 8 ;
Svoronos p.23, no. 10 (Pl.III, 16) ; HGC 3, 368 ;
AMNG III, p.19, nos.6-7 (Pl.V, 26-27) ; ANS.63 ;
McClean 3100 ; SNG.Copenhagen 31 ; Sear 1293var. ;
Lorber, Goats issue 15; Topalov -; HPM pl. III, 14 ;
SNG.Oxford 2225-2228 ; Rosen collection 90 ; Demeester 46 ;
Dewing collection 1004-1007
vf

weight 2,60gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.

obv. Bull forepart charging left, head reverted,
floral ornament (acanthus) above , within dotted circle
rev. Quadripartite incuse square

BMC 8 ; SNG.Copenhagen 6 ; AMNG.III, pag.24, no. 6 (Pl.VI, 21) ;
Weber collection - ; SNG.ANS.16-17 ; McClean 3122 ;
SNG.Delepierre 867 ; Sear - ; Babelon, Traité Pl.LIV, no.15 ;
HGC 3, no.387  R
vf-

weight 1,20gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.

obv. Archaic head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet, 
hair on forehead and neck in dotted lines, round earring 
rev. Quadripartite incuse square, surfaces irregularly granulated

provenance: ex. collection Hollschek, Dorotheum Wien 1961

cf. Triton XII, lot 156 (about xf ; USD 2,600 + 15%)

BMC 15 ; SNG.Copenhagen 13 ; MacDonald I.page 271, no.3
Weber collection 1876 ; SNG.ANS.24-26 ; AMNG.page 25,18 (Pl.VI, 27)
McClean 3124 ; HGC 3, 389 ; Babelon, Traité Pl.LIV, no.24 ;
HGC 3, no.389 ; Sear- R
Attractive archaic head of Athena. Rare.
vf

weight 16,89gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.
Attic-Euboic standard.

obv. Lion right, biting into the hindquarter of a bull standing left,
ΔI above, laurel branch with berries in exergue.
rev. Quadripartite design, AKANΘION around, all within incuse square.

The early tetradrachms of Akanthos generally have an acanthus or a fish in the exergue. Specimens with a laurel branch in the exergue are rarely found in collections or in commerce and are extremely rare.

BMC - (cf. 3) ; Delepierre- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; McClean - ;
AMNG.23 (Plate VII, 4) ; SNG.ANS.- ; Sear - (cf. 1364-1365) ;
HGC 3, -  (cf. 391)   RRR
Some minor roughness. Very attractive specimen.
vf

weight 1,20gr. ; silver Ø 12mm.

obv. Head of Athena to right, wearing decorated crested Attic helmet.
rev. Quadripartite incuse square, surfaces granulated, A-K-A-N in quadrants

BMC 20 ; SNG.Copenhagen 21 ; MacDonald I.page 271, no.3
Weber collection 1885 ; SNG.ANS.50 ; AMNG. Pl.VI, 29-31
McClean- ; cf. SNG.Ashmolean 2218 ; Sear 1366 R
about vf

weight 0,45gr. ; silver Ø 8mm.
obv. Bull′s head right 
rev. Quadripartite incuse square

This coin was minted in the period when Akanthos followed the light Thraco-Macedonian weight standard (c. 14,4g to the tetradrachm). This coin type is traditionally referred to as an obol. However, one would expect a weight of around 0.6g, but these oboles generally weigh around 0.40 / 0.45g. This makes it much too light for an obol and too heavy for a hemiobol. An obol was divided into 4 tetartemoria. It therefore seems more likely that this is a piece of tri tetartemoria, or 3/4 obol. In terms of weight, that would be a better fit.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen 9 ; Weber collection 1886 ; Sear- ;
SNG.ANS.51 ; AMNG. pag.28,36 (Pl.VI, 14) ; HGC 3.1, 394
McClean 3131 ; Babelon, Traité Pl.LIV, 18 ; Slg.Klein 146 R
vf-

weight 0,32gr. ; silver Ø 9mm.

obv. Bull′s head right 
rev. Quadripartite incuse square

This coin was minted in the period when Akanthos followed the light Thraco-Macedonian weight standard (c. 14,4g to the tetradrachm). This coin type is traditionally referred to as an obol. However, one would expect a weight of around 0.6g, but these oboles generally weigh around 0.40 / 0.45g. This makes it much too light for an obol and too heavy for a hemiobol. An obol was divided into 4 tetartemoria. It therefore seems more likely that this is a piece of tri tetartemoria, or 3/4 obol. In terms of weight, that would be a better fit.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen 9 ; Weber collection 1886 ; Sear- ;
SNG.ANS.51 ; AMNG. pag.28,36 (Pl.VI, 14) ; HGC 3.1, 394 ;
McClean 3131 ; Babelon, Traité Pl.LIV, 18 ; Slg.Klein 146 R
vg/f

weight 13,66gr. ; silver Ø 27mm.
Light Thraco-Macedonian standard

obv. Lion right, biting into the hindquarter of a bull standing left
rev. Quadripartite design, AKANΘION around, all within incuse square.

BMC - (cf. 3) ; Delepierre- (cf. 871) ;  SNG.Copenhagen- ; cf. McClean 3132 ;
AMNG.31 (Plate VII, 9) ; SNG.ANS.12var ; cf. Sear 1364 ;
cf. HGC 3, no.391 RR
Some minor scratches. Very rare.
vf-/vf

weight 14,04gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.
Minted according to the light Thraco-Macedonian standard.
Minted in name of magistrate ‘Euk….’ (Eukratides ?)

obv. Lion right, attacking bull falling left, biting into the
hindquarter, EVK below, on base of two dotted lines.
Pattern of chained crescents in exergue.
rev. Quadripartite design, AKANΘION around, all within incuse square.

Akanthos was one of those cities that produced a very prolific coinage serving an international need in the archaic and classical period. They were minted on the Attic weight standard (17.2 grams for the tetradrachm), and formed an issue that could circulate with contemporary Athenian coins on equal terms. As the influence of Olynthos and the Chalkidean League began to expand, Akanthos seems to have felt compelled to abandon its traditional Attic-Euboic weight standard round 430 BC and adopted the light Thraco-Macedonian standard (ca. 14,40 gr. to the tetradrachm). Very rare.

BMC 22 ; SNG.Delepierre- ;  SNG.Copenhagen- ; McClean - ; Sear 1367 ;
AMNG III, page 27, - (cf. 28-32) ; SNG.ANS.- (cf. 12-15) ; Desneux 118 ;
HGC 3, no.391 RR
Minor weakness of strike. Very attractive specimen with light toning. 
vf/xf

weight 2,18gr. ; silver Ø 15mm.

obv. Bull forepart charging left, head reverted, A above,
all within dotted circle
rev. Shallow granulated quadripartite incuse square

BMC 36 ; SNG.Copenhagen 16 ; Weber Collection- ;
SNG.Delepierre - ; McClean 3145 ; Sear – (cf. 1369) ;
SNG.ANS.47 ; AMNG III, - ;  cf. HGC 3, no.392 (A not noted) R
Attractive toning. Rare.
vf-

weight 1,85gr. ; silver Ø 14,5mm.

obv. Bull forepart charging left, head reverted,
卐 above (very faint) , all within dotted circle
rev. Shallow granulated quadripartite incuse square

BMC 33 ; SNG.Copenhagen 17 ; Weber Collection 1883var. ;
SNG.Delepierre 873var. ; McClean 3141 ; Sear – (cf. 1369) ;
SNG.ANS.39 ; Babelon, Traité, no. 1704 (Pl.LIV, no.17) ;
AMNG III, - ; HGC 3, no.392
Attractive toning. Rare.
vf-/f+

weight 2,07gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.

obv. Bull forepart charging left, head reverted,
flower (Akanthus/lotus) above, all within dotted circle
rev. Shallow granulated quadripartite incuse square

BMC 31 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Weber Collection - ;
SNG.Delepierre - ; McClean - ; Sear – (cf. 1369) ;
SNG.ANS.33-34 ; Babelon, Traité, - ; AMNG III, - ;
HGC 3, no.392
Attractive toning. Rare.
vf-

weight 2,26gr. ; silver Ø 15mm.

obv. Bull forepart charging left, head reverted,
above olive-spray with berry (and P ?), within dotted circle
rev. Shallow granulated quadripartite incuse square

cf. BMC 35; SNG.Copenhagen 20var. ; Weber Collection - ;
SNG.Delepierre - ; cf. McClean 3139 ; Sear – (cf. 1369) ;
cf. SNG.ANS.43 ; Babelon, Traité, - ; AMNG III, - ;
HGC 3, no.392
Minor traces of oxidation. Rare.
fr+

weight 2,20gr. ; silver Ø 15mm.

obv. Forepart of bull kneeling left, looking back, Π and swastika above
rev. Shallow quadripartite incuse square

BMC 33var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 19 ; Weber collection 1883var. ;
SNG.ANS.42 ; SNG.Delepierre 873 ; McClean 3142 R
f/vf

weight 2,23gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.

obv. Bull forepart charging left, head reverted,
above star of eight rays , within dotted circle
rev. Shallow granulated quadripartite incuse square

BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Weber Collection - ;
SNG.Delepierre - ; McClean 3137 ; Sear – (cf. 1369) ;
SNG.ANS.- ; Babelon, Traité, - ; AMNG III, - ;
HGC 3, no.392  RR
very rare type
vf

weight 1,29gr. ; bronze Ø 10mm.

obv. Head of Apollo right, hair tied with tainia
rev. Flaming torch, A - M - Φ - I

BMC 14 ; SNG.Copenhagen 48 ; cf. SNG.Evelpidis 1136 ;
AMNG.page 32, no.17 (Pl.VIII, 19) ; McClean 3214 ;
Weber collection- ; Sear 1391
f/vf

weight 8,01gr. ; bronze Ø 19mm.

obv. Head of Poseidon, wearing taina
rev. Club between the name of the city, within oak-wreath

BMC 22var. ; Weber collection- ; SNG.Copenhagen 55var. ;
SNG.Evelpidis 1138var.  ; AMNG.26var. R
vf-/vf

weight 7,45gr. ; bronze Ø 20mm.

obv. Laureate head of Zeus right
rev. Prow of galley right, S behind, two monograms in front,
AMΦIΠO above, ΛEITΩN below

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- (cf. 71) ; SNG. Evelpidis 1145 ; 
AMNG.page 36, no.42 (Pl.IX, 16) ; Weber collection- ; 
McClean- ; Sear-  R
f/vf

weight 8,61gr. ; bronze Ø 20mm.

obv. Head of Herakles right, clad in lionscalp
rev. Lion standing right, ear of corn below, AMΦIΠO above,
ΛEITΩN in exergue

Amphipolis was a magnificent ancient Greek polis (city), and later a Roman city, whose impressive remains can still be seen. It is famous in history for events such as the battle between the Spartans and Athenians in 422 BC, and also as the place where Alexander the Great prepared for campaigns leading to his invasion of Asia. Alexander′s three finest admirals, Nearchus, Androsthenes and Laomedon, resided in this city and it is also the place where, after Alexander′s death, his wife Roxane and their small son Alexander IV were exiled and later murdered. Excavations in and around the city have revealed important buildings, ancient walls and tombs. The finds are displayed at the archaeological museum of Amphipolis. At the nearby vast Kasta burial mound, an important ancient Macedonian tomb has recently been revealed. The unique and beautiful "Lion of Amphipolis" monument nearby is a popular destination for visitors.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen-  ; SNG. Evelpidis- ;
AMNG.page 35, no.37 (Pl.IX, 12) ; cf. Weber collection 1971 ;
McClean-  ; Sear- RR
f/vf

weight 6,26gr. ; bronze Ø 19mm.

obv. Head of Zeus-Ammon facing slightly left
rev. Kantharos, surrounded by the legend; AΦY - TAI - ΩN

Aphytis or Aphytos was an ancient Greek city in Pallene, the westernmost headland of Chalcidice. Around the middle of the 8th century BC colonists from Euboea arrived. The city became well known for its Temple of Dionysos, which appears to have been built in the second half of the 8th century BC. At Aphytis, Zeus-Ammon was worshipped, at least from the time of the Spartan general Lysander (ca. 403 BC), as zealously as in Ammonium, sanctuary in Libya. According to Pausanias, the patron of Aphytis, Zeus-Ammon, appeared in a dream to Lysander and urged him to raise the siege, which he did. The Temple of Zeus-Ammon, whose few remaining ruins date to the 4th century BC structure.

During the Persian invasion of mainland Greece (480-479 BC), Aphytis contributed troops and ships to the already vast forces assembled by the Great King, Xerxes I. However, following their defeat and evacuation from Greece, the city soon became a member of the Athenian-led Delian League. This alliance was formed to defend against future Persian aggression, but quickly evolted into the basis for an Athenian empire. By 452/1 BC, Aphytis was paying tribute to Athens and it continued to do so until the end of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) between Athens and Sparta.

During archaic and classical times Aphytis was a prosperous city, minting its own coins, which depicted the head of its patron, Zeus-Ammon, the city′s economy appears to have been mainly based on farming and vine-culture. Aristotle (Politics V,VI 1319 a14) mentions the "agricultural law" of the Aphytians, a special, singular and interesting chapter in the history of ancient Greek public finances. The city became a member of the Chalkidian League; it previously paid tribute under the Thracian phoros of the Delian League.

During Hellenistic and Roman times the city minted coins again; an event possibly related to the fame of the Temple of Zeus-Ammon. Strabo mentions Aphytis among the five cities, which existed in Pallene in the first century BC. (Kassandreia, Aphytis, Mende, Scione and Sane). After the founding of the Roman colony of Kassandreia (43 BC), Aphytis was a vicus of this colony, dependent administratively on it.

The kantharos, depicted on this bronze coin, is related to the cult of Dionysos at Aphytis. The kantharos was a vessel for drinking wine. It is very likely that already in Greek times the city was an important centre of wine production

In the traditional village of Afytos in the modern Kassandra peninsula lie the organic, not irrigated vineyards and winery of the Papaefthymiou family, where native and worldwide famous grape varieties are cultivated, aiming in the production of low yield high quality wines.

cf. CNG, Triton V sale, 15 Jan. 2002, lot 295 (in vf/xf : USD 3.600 + 15%)

BMC 1 ; Moushmov 6142 ; SNG ANS 211 ; SNG. Copenhagen 124 ;
Laffaille 300 ; AMNG III.2, p.45, nos.5-6 ; Sear 1399 ; HGC 3, 444 RR
Attractive dark patina. Beautiful sharp depiction of the kantharos.
A very rare historical coin.
vf/vf+

weight 9,89gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.
Early anepipraphic coinage.
Previously identified as either Lete or Siris.

obv. Bearded satyr, nude and ithyphallic, standing right, grasping hand of
nymph fleeing right, looking back, pellet to left, right, above and between them
rev. Rough incuse square divided diagonally

The satyr and nymph type is one of the more widely occurring designs in early Thraco-Macedonian region. Variations of this type were used at mints from Berge to the north-west of Amphipolis to Thasos in the southeast. Similarly, tribes in this region - the Dionysioi, Laiai, Letai, Orreskii, Pernaioi, and Zaielioi - also used this type. They often included their respective ethnic, although some of these tribes replace the satyr with a centaur. Based on the positioning of the figures, there are two major divisions of the satyr-nymph type. The first group, struck primarily at Thasos, shows the nymph held in the arms of the satryr, who carries her off to the right. The other group, struck primarily at Berge, shows the nymph confronted by the satyr. In both cases the appearance of the figures is largely the same: the satyr is presented nude and ithyphallic, while the nymph is dressed in a long chiton with the skirt divided into many long strands. The only stylistic difference between the groups is the appearance of the lower body of the satyr. On the first group, the satyr has the normal legs and feet of a man, while on the second group, in addition to a tail, the satyr has the legs and hooves of a goat. Overall, the artistic style of the scene is wonderfully archaic, and evident not only in the posture of the figures, but also in its minute details. While most of the mints ceased production after about 480/470 BC, Thasos continued to use the type for some time, allowing the scene to transition through an "archaized" phase, and finally taking on a lovely early Classical style by the time production of the type ended there circa 404 BC.

The satyr/centaur and nymph type represents a common theme in Greek mythology: the juxtaposition of the wildly monstrous and sexually-charged with the human. Kraay′s view (ACGC pp. 148-9) that the coins where the satyr and nymph are both standing show the nymph seducing the satyr, while the coins where the nymph is in the satyr′s arms show the nymph is protesting her being carried off, is contradicted by a close inspection of the coins themselves. In similar scenes of this event depicted elsewhere, the satyr clearly manhandles the nymph, forcibly grasping one of her arms, while the nymph appears in a posture of apparent flight (see, e.g., HPM pl. VII-VIII). Clearly, in both scenes the nymph is protesting the actions of the satyr or centaur, who, in the role of the wild, libidinous creature that he is, is seizing the nymph for his own purposes, driven by his sexual arousal.

Although traditionally assigned to Lete or Siris, S. Psoma reassigned this wonderful series to Berge in what later became the Thasian Peraia. The coins contain the satyr and nymph motive, a highly sexually charged design showing the ferocious and aroused satyr abusing the mannered nymph. Such images of wilderness clashing with civilization were especially popular in frontier regions such as the Thraco-Macedonian coast, where Greek apoikiai came into close contact with the native ′barbarian′ tribes.

cf. Künker Auktion 376, Lot 4425 (in xf € 40.000 + 25%)
cf. Leu, Auktion 10, Lot 2034 (in xf SFR 38.000 + 22%)
cf. Nomos, Auction 25, Lot 81 (in xf SFR 140.000 + 22,5%)

AMNG III, p.68, no.5 (Pl.XIV.20) ; HPM pl. VIII, 3 ; SNG ANS 950 ;
cf. Babelon, Traité 1571 ; cf. Svoronos Pl.VII, no.8 ;
cf. BMC 4-6 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 187 ; cf. Weber collection 1829 ;
McClean 3089var. ; cf. HGC 3, no. 531 (all as Lete).
vf

weight 4,83gr. ; silver Ø 14mm.
Early anepipraphic coinage.
Previously identified as either Lete or Siris.

obv. Bearded satyr, nude and ithyphallic, standing right,
grasping arm of nymph fleeing right
rev. Quadripartite incuse square

The satyr and nymph type is one of the more widely occurring designs in early Thraco-Macedonian region. Variations of this type were used at mints from Berge to the north-west of Amphipolis to Thasos in the southeast. Similarly, tribes in this region - the Dionysioi, Laiai, Letai, Orreskii, Pernaioi, and Zaielioi - also used this type. They often included their respective ethnic, although some of these tribes replace the satyr with a centaur. Based on the positioning of the figures, there are two major divisions of the satyr-nymph type. The first group, struck primarily at Thasos, shows the nymph held in the arms of the satryr, who carries her off to the right. The other group, struck primarily at Berge, shows the nymph confronted by the satyr. In both cases the appearance of the figures is largely the same: the satyr is presented nude and ithyphallic, while the nymph is dressed in a long chiton with the skirt divided into many long strands. The only stylistic difference between the groups is the appearance of the lower body of the satyr. On the first group, the satyr has the normal legs and feet of a man, while on the second group, in addition to a tail, the satyr has the legs and hooves of a goat. Overall, the artistic style of the scene is wonderfully archaic, and evident not only in the posture of the figures, but also in its minute details. While most of the mints ceased production after about 480/470 BC, Thasos continued to use the type for some time, allowing the scene to transition through an "archaized" phase, and finally taking on a lovely early Classical style by the time production of the type ended there circa 404 BC.

The satyr/centaur and nymph type represents a common theme in Greek mythology: the juxtaposition of the wildly monstrous and sexually-charged with the human. Kraay′s view (ACGC pp. 148-9) that the coins where the satyr and nymph are both standing show the nymph seducing the satyr, while the coins where the nymph is in the satyr′s arms show the nymph is protesting her being carried off, is contradicted by a close inspection of the coins themselves. In similar scenes of this event depicted elsewhere, the satyr clearly manhandles the nymph, forcibly grasping one of her arms, while the nymph appears in a posture of apparent flight (see, e.g., HPM pl. VII-VIII). Clearly, in both scenes the nymph is protesting the actions of the satyr or centaur, who, in the role of the wild, libidinous creature that he is, is seizing the nymph for his own purposes, driven by his sexual arousal.

Although traditionally assigned to Lete or Siris, S. Psoma reassigned this wonderful series to Berge in what later became the Thasian Peraia. The coins contain the satyr and nymph motive, a highly sexually charged design showing the ferocious and aroused satyr abusing the mannered nymph. Such images of wilderness clashing with civilization were especially popular in frontier regions such as the Thraco-Macedonian coast, where Greek apoikiai came into close contact with the native ′barbarian′ tribes.

BMC pag.78, no.10var. ; SNG.ANS.967 ; SNG.Copenhagen 185 ;
cf. Svoronos pag. 80, no.10 (plate VII,11var.) ; AMNG III,
page 67, no.2 (Pl.XIV.18) ; Weber collection 1827var. ;
cf. Babelon, Traité 1575 (Pl.L, 7) ; HGC 3, no. 533 (all as Lete)  RR
very rare archaic cointype
vf

weight 14,43gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo right
rev. Kithara with seven strings, surrounded by the legend X A Λ - K I Δ - E Ω N,

The Chalcidice is a three-fingered spit of land extending from eastern Macedon into the Aegean Sea. Wary of Athenian imperialism and the rising power of the Macedonian Kingdom, the free cities of the Chalcidice banded together in 432 BC to form a defensive coalition called the Chalcidian League, with its capital of Olynthos. The silver coinage struck at Olynthos was on the Macedonian standard, somewhat lighter than the Attic standard employed by most of Greece, and was legal tender at all cities belonging to the league. The standard design featured a head of Apollo, god of beauty, art and music, with a type of lyre called a kithara on the reverse. The heads of Apollo on these pieces are remarkable for the strength and beauty of their style. Some of the most beautiful dies in the series were produced in the mid-380s BC, of which an outstanding example is seen here. Sadly, the Chalcidian League′s coinage came to an end with the capture and destruction of Olynthos by King Philippos II of Macedon in 348 BC.

The kithara or cithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean ″guitar″, a word which etymologically stems from kithara. The kithara was a professional version of the two-stringed lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. The kithara′s origins are likely Asiatic.

BMC 4 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 240 ; Robertson & Clement Group J, 43/44 ;
Pozzi 750 ; AMNG III/2, –  ; Sear - (cf. 1424) ; HGC 3, 498 R
Somewhat irregular flan, but very attractive specimen of good style.
Rare early type.
vf

weight 13,81gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo right
rev. Kithara (lyre), surrounded by the legend X A Λ - K I Δ - E Ω N,
next to the letter A the small letters T - E, small letter T right below the kithara.

The small letters TE and T on the reverse is probably the signature of an artist die cutter.

The Chalcidice is a three-fingered spit of land extending from eastern Macedon into the Aegean Sea. Wary of Athenian imperialism and the rising power of the Macedonian Kingdom, the free cities of the Chalcidice banded together in 432 BC to form a defensive coalition called the Chalcidian League, with its capital of Olynthos. The silver coinage struck at Olynthos was on the Macedonian standard, somewhat lighter than the Attic standard employed by most of Greece, and was legal tender at all cities belonging to the league. The standard design featured a head of Apollo, god of beauty, art and music, with a type of lyre called a cithara on the reverse. The heads of Apollo on these pieces are remarkable for the strength and beauty of their style. Some of the most beautiful dies in the series were produced in the mid-380s BC, of which an outstanding example is seen here. Sadly, the Chalcidian League′s coinage came to an end with the capture and destruction of Olynthos by King Philippos II of Macedon in 348 BC.

The cithara or kithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean ″guitar″, a word which etymologically stems from kithara. The kithara was a professional version of the two-stringed lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. The kithara′s origins are likely Asiatic.

According to Robertson & Clement, this is the second known example
of this type. This example comes from the collection of John F. Sullivan.
Coin of the highest rarity.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; cf. SNG.ANS.746 ; cf. McClean 3158 ; AMNG- ;
Robertson & Clement Group I, 38 ; cf. HGC, page 193, no.498 RRRR
Very attractive coin of fine classical style.
vf/vf+

weight 1,15gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo right
rev. Tripod with three handles, surrounded by the legend;  
to left XAΛKI, to left ΔEΩN

BMC - ; Weber collection 1912 ; Boutin, Pozzi collection - ;
McClean- ; Robinson-Clermont p. XXI, 4 (Pl.XXXV, 20) ;
cf. Imhoof-Blumer, Monn. gr., p. 71,42 ; SNG.ANS.540-543 ;
cf. AMNG III, p.88, 22 (Pl.XVII, 26) ; Weber collection 1912 ;
SNG. Delepierre - ; Sear 1426 ; SNG.Copenhagen 244var. ;
HGC 3, no.506 (R2)    RR
Very rare.
vf-

weight 0,32gr. ; silver Ø 8mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo left within border of dots
rev. Tripod, surrounded by the legend;  to right XAΛ, to left KIΔ

BMC 28var. ; cf. Robertson-Clement, Pl.III, Ea and Pl.XXV, 22.C1;
SNG. Delepierre 922var. ; SNG.ANS.550 ; Sear 1423var. ;
Weber- ; SNG.Copenhagen 241var. ; HGC 3, no.509 (R2)    RR
Very attractive for the type. Very rare.
vf à vf+

weight 0,32gr. ; silver Ø 8mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo left within border of dots
rev. Tripod, surrounded by the legend;  to right XAΛ, to left KI

BMC 28 ; cf. Robertson-Clement, Pl.III, Ea and Pl.XXV, 22.C1;
SNG. Delepierre 922 ; SNG.ANS.550 ; Sear 1423 ;
AMNG III, pag. 88, 23 (Pl.XVII, 27) ; Weber collection - ;
SNG.Copenhagen 241var. ; HGC 3, no.509 (R2) RR
very rare
vf- à f/vf

weight 13,03gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo right
rev. Kithara with seven strings, surrounded by the legend X A Λ - K I Δ - E Ω N

The cithara or kithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean ″guitar″, a word which etymologically stems from kithara. The kithara was a professional version of the two-stringed lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. The kithara′s origins are likely Asiatic.

The Chalkidice is a three-fingered spit of land extending from eastern Macedonia into the Aegean Sea. Wary of Athenian imperialism and the rising power of the Macedonian Kingdom, the free cities of the Chalkidice banded together in 432 BC to form a defensive coalition called the Chalkidian League, with its capital of Olynthos. The silver coinage struck at Olynthos was on the Macedonian standard, somewhat lighter than the Attic standard employed by most of Greece, and was legal tender at all cities belonging to the league. The standard design featured a head of Apollo, god of beauty, art and music, with a type of lyre called a kithara on the reverse. The heads of Apollo on these pieces are remarkable for the strength and beauty of their style. Some of the most beautiful dies in the series were produced in the mid-380s BC. Sadly, the Chalcidian League′s coinage came to an end with the capture and destruction of Olynthos by King Philippos II of Macedonia in 348 BC.

Robinson & Clement Group H, 28 ; SNG Lockett 1308 ;
HGC 3, page 193, no.498 R
(cf. Leu Numismatik, Auction8, lot 43 in vf with some scratches: SFR 5.500 + 20%)
Some light edge damage. Rare.
f+ à f/vf

weight 13,76gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo left
rev. Kithara with seven strings, surrounded by the legend X A Λ - K I Δ - E Ω N,
at the bottom of the kithara the magistrate′s name; AΠOΛΛOΔAΡO

The Chalcidice is a three-fingered spit of land extending from eastern Macedon into the Aegean Sea. Wary of Athenian imperialism and the rising power of the Macedonian Kingdom, the free cities of the Chalcidice banded together in 432 BC to form a defensive coalition called the Chalcidian League, with its capital of Olynthos. The silver coinage struck at Olynthos was on the Macedonian standard, somewhat lighter than the Attic standard employed by most of Greece, and was legal tender at all cities belonging to the league. The standard design featured a head of Apollo, god of beauty, art and music, with a type of lyre called a kithara on the reverse. The heads of Apollo on these pieces are remarkable for the strength and beauty of their style. Some of the most beautiful dies in the series were produced in the mid-380s BC, of which an outstanding example is seen here. Sadly, the Chalcidian League′s coinage came to an end with the capture and destruction of Olynthos by King Philippos II of Macedon in 348 BC.

The kithara or cithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean ″guitar″, a word which etymologically stems from kithara. The kithara was a professional version of the two-stringed lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. The kithara′s origins are likely Asiatic.

This coin reveals a new magistrate ′Apollodoros′ in the Chalkidian series: the only appearance of a magistrate in Robinson & Clement Group F tetradrachms (417-415 BC). It is uncertain whether Robinson and Clement examined their specimen in hand, but they apparently could not discern the name on that piece due to its wear. The appearance of a magistrate′s nearly-full name is highly unusual at such an early date, and may suggest that group F should be downdated, closer to the normal magistrate groups dated 360-350 BC. Coin of the highest rarity.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; cf. Robertson & Clement Group F,5 (A5/P5) ;
AMNG - ; Sear - (cf. 1424); HGC 3, - (cf.497)  RRRR
Some minor roughness, but very attractive coin of fine classical style.
vf/xf

weight 2,28gr. ; silver Ø 14mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo right within border of dots
rev. Kithara, X - A - Λ - KIΔ - EΩN around,
within shallow incuse square

The cithara or kithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean ″guitar″, a word which etymologically stems from kithara. The kithara was a professional version of the two-stringed lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. The kithara′s origins are likely Asiatic.

Sear 1425 ; BMC 18 ; SNG.Copenhagen 243 ;
SNG.ANS.528 ; SNG.Delepierre 920-921 ;
Weber collection 1908 ; Boutin, Pozzi collection 1520 ;
McClean 3160var. ; Robinson-Clement, 4 ; HGC 3, 502
vf/vf+

weight 2,25gr. ; silver Ø 14mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo right within border of dots
rev. Kithara, X - A - Λ - KIΔ - EΩN around,
within shallow incuse square

The cithara or kithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean ″guitar″, a word which etymologically stems from kithara. The kithara was a professional version of the two-stringed lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. The kithara′s origins are likely Asiatic.

Sear 1425 ; BMC 18 ; SNG.Copenhagen 243 ;
SNG.ANS.528 ; SNG.Delepierre 920-921 ;
Weber collection 1908 ; Boutin, Pozzi collection 1520 ;
McClean 3160var. ; Robinson-Clement, 4 ; HGC 3, 502
vf-

weight 2,18gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo left within border of dots
rev. Kithara, X - A - Λ - KIΔ - EΩN around,
within shallow incuse square

The cithara or kithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean ″guitar″, a word which etymologically stems from kithara. The kithara was a professional version of the two-stringed lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. The kithara′s origins are likely Asiatic.

BMC 20 ; SNG.Copenhagen 236var. ; SNG.ANS.518-519 ;
SNG.Delepierre 920-921var. ; Sear 1425var. ; HGC 3, 501 ;
Weber collection 1910 ; Boutin, Pozzi collection 1519 ;
McClean 3157var.
vf-

weight 2,11gr. ; silver Ø 14mm.

obv. Laureate head of Apollo left, A behind, within circle
rev. Kithara, X - A - Λ - KIΔ - EΩN around, within liniair
frame, within shallow incuse square

The cithara or kithara was an ancient Greek musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean ″guitar″, a word which etymologically stems from kithara. The kithara was a professional version of the two-stringed lyre. As opposed to the simpler lyre, which was a folk-instrument, the kithara was primarily used by professional musicians, called kitharodes. The kithara′s origins are likely Asiatic.

Seems to be unpublished in the relevant reference literature.
Extremely rare.

BMC – (cf. 14-15) ; SNG.Copenhagen 236var. ;
SNG.ANS.- (cf. 515 = Apollo head right) ; McClean 3157var. ;
SNG.Delepierre - ; Sear – (cf. 1425) ; cf. HGC 3, 501 ;
Weber collection 1909var. ; cf. Boutin, Pozzi collection 1519 ;
AMNG III, page 87, no. 14 (Pl.XVII, 19)   RRR
f/vf

weight 17,26gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.

obv. Ithyphallic ass facing to left; on his rump, a large crow
faces to the right and pecks at the root of the ass′s tail.
rev. Five incuse triangles arranged in ″mill-sail″ pattern

Mende was probably built during the 9th century BC by Eretrian colonists. This ancient Greek city  was located on the western coast of the Pallene peninsula in Chalkidiki, facing the coast of Pieria across the narrow Thermaic Gulf and near the modern town of Kalandra. The city owes its name to the minthe plant, a species of mint that still sprouts in the area. Mende′s abundant lumber resources and possession of silver, gold and lead mines led to its rapid development. From the 6th century BC, it was one of the cities that controlled trade routes along the coast of Thrace; there were even confirmed dealings with the Greek colonies in Italy, especially concerning the export of the famous local wine Mendaeos oinos. During the 5th century BC, Mende became one of the most important allies of Athens and joined the Delian League, paying a tax that varied from six up to fifteen Attic talents per year. However, in 423 BC, it managed to revolt against Athenian rule, a situation that did not last long as the Athenians quickly suppressed the revolt. During the Peloponnesian War, Mende, Toroni and Skione were the main regional goals of the two combatants, Athens and Sparta, specially after Brasidas,the Spartan general, raised an army of allies and helots and went for the sources of Athenian power in north Greece in 424. After the end of the war, Mende regained its independence. The city tried to avoid Olynthian rule in the 4th century BC, when the Chalkidician League was established; later it tried to avoid rule by the Macedonian hegemony, but in 315 its population, along with other Chalkidicians, was forced to resettle in Cassandreia, after this new city was built by king Cassander on the site of the former town of Poteidaea.

cf. Hess-Divo, auction 321, Lot 84 (in vf+: SFR 20.000 + 17,5%)
cf. NAC, auction 132, Lot 241 (in xf- with some oxidation: SFR 35.000 + 20%)

BMC 1; SNG.Copenhagen-(vgl.198); Delepierre -; Babelon, Traité-; Kraay -;
McClean 3178 ; cf. Babelon, Traité pl.LI, 7 ; Rosen Coll.-; Price & Waggoner,
Asyut Hoard 200-203; Noe-; SNG.ANS.-; Weber Collection- ; Sear 1278 RR
Usual weak strike, but attractive for type. Very rare.
vf

weight 0,24gr. ; silver Ø 6mm.

obv. Ass′s head left
rev. Quadripartite incuse square

BMC- (cf. 3) ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 203 ; SNG.ANS.316 ;
AMNG.- ; Weber collection- (cf. 1933) ;
Slg.Klein- ; McClean- RR
vf

weight 0,24gr. ; silver Ø 7mm.

obv. Ass′s head right
rev. Quadripartite incuse circle

BMC- (cf. 3) ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 202 ; SNG.ANS.322 ; 
AMNG.page 73, no.8 (Pl.XV, 22) ; Weber collection 1931 ;
Slg.Klein- ; McClean- ; Babelon, Traité page 1137, 1611 R
vf-

weight 2,44gr. ; silver Ø 15mm.

obv. Bearded Dionysos reclining left on ass standing right, holding kantharos
rev. Kantharos within shallow incuse square with ornamented border
MEN on left, Δ above, AIH on right

The city of Mende, located in ancient Macedonia, was renowned for its wines and used coins depicting the god Dionysos to promote the quality of its wine. A famous example is a tetradrachmon dating from around 460–423 BC, which depicts Dionysos drunkenly seated on a donkey, indicating that Mende wine was so potent it could intoxicate a god. This image also appears on tetrobols minted around 423 BC, of ​​which this coin is an example. The kantharos on the reverse also refers to Mende′s wine production.

BMC- (cf. 8-10) ; SNG.Copenhagen 213 ; SNG.ANS.373 ; 
AMNG.page 76, no.24 (Pl.XVI, 6) ; Weber collection 1944 ;
McClean 3182 ; cf. Sear 1412 ; HGC 3, 559 R
Attractive toning. Rare.
f/vf

weight 0,32gr. ; silver Ø 7mm.
Samian standard.

obv. Forepart of ass right
rev. Kantharos within incuse square

BMC 7 ; SNG.Copenhagen 207 ; SNG.ANS.362 ; 
AMNG.page 75, no.18 (Pl.XVI, 4) ; Weber collection- ;
McClean 3185 ; Babelon, Traité PL.LI, 22 ; Sear 1411 R
Rare coin type.
f/vf à vf-

weight 0,34gr. ; silver Ø 7mm.
Samian standard.

obv. Forepart of ass left
rev. Kantharos within incuse square

BMC - (cf.7) ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf.207) ; cf. SNG.ANS.369 ;
AMNG.- (cf. page 75, no.18, Pl.XVI, 4) ; Weber collection- ;
McClean 3184 ; Babelon, Traité- (cf. PL.LI, 22) ; cf. Sear 1411 RRR
Extremely rare coin type.
vf- à f/vf

weight 9,31gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Gorgon′s head facing, with tongue protruding
rev. Rough quadripartite incuse square

Neapolis ″new city″ was an ancient Greek city located in Edonis, a region of Thrace and later of Macedon. The site is located near modern Kavala. Neapolis was founded by colonists from Thasos, perhaps around the middle of the 7th century BC. Neapolis was a member of the Delian league and entered the Athenian tribute list at 454 BC first by toponym and by 443 BC by city-ethnic name. Recorded a total of fourteen times form 454 to 429 BC, it paid a tribute of 1,000 drachmas a year. It had independence from Thasos as dues of its customs were collected in its own harbour. At one point, property of Neapolitans in Thasos was confiscated by the oligarchs related to a situation from before 463 BC when the Thasian peraia was detached from Thasos. Despite the defection of Thasos from the Delian league in 411 BC, Neapolis remained loyal, causing the Neapolitan oligarchs to flee to Thasos and the confiscation of their property. Neapolis was besieged by the Thasians unsuccessfully, causing the Athenians to praise them for their loyalty and for participating in the siege of Thasos itself in 410 or 409 BC. Around 350 BC, Philip II of Macedon took Neapolis and used it as Philippi′s harbor. At the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, the harbor was used as a base by the Republican leaders Brutus and Cassius. It kept its importance as a station on the Via Egnatia through the Imperial and early Christian periods. Paul landed here when he sailed from Troas to begin his missionary labors in Europe.

cf. Peus Nachf., Auktion 431, Lot 3108 (in xf  € 22.000 + 22%)
cf. Künker. Auktion 382, Lot 90 (in xf-  €  18.000 + 25%)

BMC 2-6 ; SNG.Copenhagen 222 ; Weber collection 1804var. ;
Babelon, Traité pag.1194, no.1740 (Pl.LV, 14) ; Sear 1304 ;
AMNG.III, page 79, no.2 (Pl.XVI, 19) ; Kraay 524 ; 
Svoronos pag.74, no.2a (Pl.IX, 31) ; SNG.ANS.401-405 ;
McClean 3074-3075 ; HGC 3, no.583 R
some minor roughness, but attractive for the type
vf

weight 2,04gr. ; silver Ø 15mm.

obv. Horse walking right, tethered to Ionic column
rev. Eagle flying upwards, clutching serpent in beak.
All within incuse square, with in the corners; O – Λ – Y - N

The most distinctive feature of the obverse die is the Ionic column in the background, which it is reasonable to assume is a terma, or turning point. The terma is included as a stylistic and cultural symbol that serves the purpose of being a pleasant architectural adjunct that places the quadriga in a more specific context. The horse and column type may reflect further contacts between Sicily and Olynthos as it seems to borrow from the quadriga rounding column type popular for contemporary tetradrachms of Gela. The reverse – an eagle clutching a serpent – is a motif borrowed from Chalkis.

BMC 3 ; SNG.Copenhagen 233 ; SNG.ANS.464var. ; 
Robinson-Clement page 295, 7a (Pl.XXXIV) ; McClean 3154 ;
AMNG.III,page 84, no.2 (Pl.XVII, 4) ; Weber collection 1903var. ;
Babelon, Traité, no. 1652  (Pl. LII, 11) ; Sear - ; HGC 3, no.597 ;
SNG.Delepierre - ; Boutin, Coll.Pozzi, no.1509var. R
rare coin type
f/vf

weight 0,81gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.

obv. Naked satyr in kneeling-running attitude right
rev. Quadripartite incuse square

The attribition to Siris is not beyond doubt. Also Lete and
Thasos are good possibilities for the mintage of this cointype.

SNG.Copenhagen 192 (Lete) ; BMC 29-36 (Lete) ; Svoronos pag.96,7 (Thasos) ;
McClean 3094 ; Rosen Collection 144-145 ; Sear 1302 (Lete)
vf-

weight 16,43gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.

obv. Head of Protesilaos right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with
wreath base of the crest inscribed ΠPOTEΣIΛAΣ. (retrograde)
rev. Stern of galley with aphlaston left within incuse square,
in the corners of the incuse square; Σ – K -I – O

Skione was an ancient Greek city in Pallene, the westernmost headland of Chalkidice, on the southern coast east of the modern town of Nea Skioni. Skione was founded circa 700 BC by settlers from Achaea;  the Scionaeans claimed their ancestors settled the place when their ships were blown there by the storm that caught the Achaeans on their way back from Troy. It ″was situated on one summit of a two-crested hill and on the slopes toward the sea... The hill with the fortifications and the pottery fragments constituted the acropolis of ancient Scione and the hill beyond was that on which the defenders encamped before the city.″ It was a member of the Delian League.

Its moment of historical importance came during the Peloponnesian War, when just after the truce between Sparta and Athens in early 423 BC, Skione revolted against Athens and was encouraged by the Spartan general Brasidas with promises of support. The Athenians sent a fleet to retake Mende and Skione; after securing the former, they besieged Skione. In the summer of 421 they finally succeeding in reducing it; they put the adult males to death, enslaved the women and children, and gave the land to Plataea, an ally of Athens. W. Robert Connor says that ″the ultimate destruction of Skione was one of the most notorious events in the war, and almost any Greek reader would know of its fate.″

By the time of the Roman Empire, Scione had "almost vanished out of existence.". However, according to recent surveys, Skione survived in the Roman (imperial) period as a vicus of the Roman colony of Kassandreia. Skione is mentioned by Roman-era geographers Pomponius Mela, Strabo, and Plinius the Elder. The site of ancient Skione is 3 km. southeast of the modern Nea Skione.

In Greek mythology, Protesilaios was a hero in the Iliad who was venerated at cult sites in Thessaly, Macedon and Thrace. Protesilaios was the son of Iphiclus, a ″lord of many sheep″; as grandson of the eponymous Phylacos, he was the leader of the Phylaceans. Hyginus surmised that he was originally known as Iolaus (not to be confused with Iolaus, the nephew of Heracles) but was referred to as ″Protesilaios″ after being the first (protos) to leap ashore at Troy, and thus the first to die in the war.

cf. Gorny & Mosch, Auktion 195, Lot 126 (in vf  € 14.000 + 15%)

SNG ANS - ; SNG.Spencer Churchill 124 ; Boston MFA Suppl. 44 ;
AMNG III, - ; Kraay, ACGC 470 ; Dewing 1076 ;SNG Delepierre - ;
B.Head, A Guide to the Principal Coins of the Greeks (1965) Pl.11,20 ;
Alpha Bank, Macedonia 79 ; Sear - ; HGC 3, no.668 RR
Very rare historical coin.
vf

weight 2,49gr. ; silver Ø 12mm.

obv. Bare head of Protesilaos to right
rev. Eye (from a galley prow) diagonally placed,
Σ above, KIO below, all within an incuse square.

Skione was an ancient Greek city in Pallene, the westernmost headland of Chalkidice, on the southern coast east of the modern town of Nea Skioni. Skione was founded circa 700 BC by settlers from Achaea;  the Scionaeans claimed their ancestors settled the place when their ships were blown there by the storm that caught the Achaeans on their way back from Troy. It ″was situated on one summit of a two-crested hill and on the slopes toward the sea... The hill with the fortifications and the pottery fragments constituted the acropolis of ancient Scione and the hill beyond was that on which the defenders encamped before the city.″ It was a member of the Delian League.

Its moment of historical importance came during the Peloponnesian War, when just after the truce between Sparta and Athens in early 423 BC, Skione revolted against Athens and was encouraged by the Spartan general Brasidas with promises of support. The Athenians sent a fleet to retake Mende and Skione; after securing the former, they besieged Skione. In the summer of 421 they finally succeeding in reducing it; they put the adult males to death, enslaved the women and children, and gave the land to Plataea, an ally of Athens. W. Robert Connor says that ″the ultimate destruction of Skione was one of the most notorious events in the war, and almost any Greek reader would know of its fate.″

By the time of the Roman Empire, Scione had ″almost vanished out of existence″. However, according to recent surveys, Skione survived in the Roman (imperial) period as a vicus of the Roman colony of Kassandreia. Skione is mentioned by Roman-era geographers Pomponius Mela, Strabo, and Plinius the Elder. The site of ancient Skione is 3 km. southeast of the modern Nea Skione.

In Greek mythology, Protesilaios was a hero in the Iliad who was venerated at cult sites in Thessaly, Macedon and Thrace. Protesilaios was the son of Iphiclus, a ″lord of many sheep″; as grandson of the eponymous Phylacos, he was the leader of the Phylaceans. Hyginus surmised that he was originally known as Iolaus (not to be confused with Iolaus, the nephew of Heracles) but was referred to as ″Protesilaios″ after being the first (protos) to leap ashore at Troy, and thus the first to die in the war.

cf. Morton & Eden, Auction 124, Lot 252 (in xf:  GBP 6.000 + 20%)

BMC, Troas pag.174,no.5 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Rosen Collection- ;
Sear- ; Babelon Pl.LII,4 ; SNG.ANS.709 ; Weber collection 1920 ;
SNG.Evelpidis- ; HGC 3, 672 (R2) RR
Very attractively toned, well-struck and in remarkably fine
condition for this type. Very rare historical coin.
vf à vf/xf

weight 0,37gr. ; silver Ø 7,5mm.

obv. Forepart of Pegasos right
rev. Quadripartite incuse square

We know Therma better by its later name of Thessalonika. This city is
supposed to have been a colony of Corinth. The Pegasos refers to this origin.
Very interesting and rare coin.

BMC. pag.138,8-9 ; SNG.Copenhagen344 ; SNG.ANS.763 ; McClean 3117 ;
Babelon, Traité plate LVIII, 9 R
vf+

weight 7,27gr. ; bronze Ø 21mm.

obv. Laureate head of Zeus right
rev. Two goats on their hindlegs opposed to one other, NIKH between legs,
around ΘEΣ ΣA ΛO

BMC- (cf. page 109, no.8) ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 350 ; McClean- (cf.3759) ;
SNG. Evelpidis 1292-1294 ; cf. AMNG.page 118, no.3 (Pl.XX, 25) ; Sear- R
vf- à f/vf

weight 5,91gr. ; bronze Ø 19mm.

obv. Head of Athena Parthenos right, wearing richly ornamented crested helmet
rev. Bull feeding right ΘEΣΣAΛONIKHΣ

BMC 19 ; SNG.Copenhagen 360 ; Evelpidis 1301 ; AMNG.pag.119, no.12
vf-

weight 3,50gr. ; bronze Ø 16mm.

obv. Nikè advancing left, holding wreath in right hand and palm in left
rev. Macedonian shield, surrounded by the legend; MAKEΔONΩN

The Koinon or federation of Macedonian cities, first attested in the reign of Philippos V, made three issues of coins during the Julio-Claudian periode, one for Claudius, one for Nero (early in his reign) and one for Vitellius. The coins were probably minted at Thessalonika as all the coins show links of style and fabric with Thessalonikan coins. Thessalonika is, moreover, the obvious choice, being the metropolis of Macedonia. The coins fall into three denomations; the largest (ca. 16.00/18.00gr.) has a winged thunderbolt or a figure of Mars, the intermediate (ca. 8.00/10.00gr.) has a Macedonian shield, while the smallest (ca. 2.50/3.50gr.) has no imperial portrait but either Nikè/shield, horse/shield or inscription/shield.  It has been suggested that the denominations in questions were diassarion (2 asses), assarion (as) and hemi-assarion (1/2 as).

Sear GIC.4804 ; BMC 89 ; SNG.Copenhagen 1331 ; RPC.1621 ; AMNG.230
vf-/vf

weight 16,79gr. ; silver Ø 30mm.

obv. Head of Alexander the Great right, with horn of Ammon
and flowing hair, Q behind, MAKEΔONΩN beneath
rev. Money-chest (fiscus), club and sella curulis (chair),
AESILLAS, above Q to right, within olive-wreath

Remarkable coin that bears inscriptions in two different languages. On the obverse Makedonon is written in Greek letters while the reverse features the Latin word Aesillas. Aesillas was a Roman Quaestor in the years 93-92 BC. He was responsible for collecting taxes in de Roman province of Macedonia. On the reverse we see a cista, a basket with a lid as it was used for collecting the Roman taxes. On the right-hand side, there is special kind of chair. Everybody living in the Roman Empire recognized this chair as the one a tax collector, a quaestor, was sitting on when performing his duties. Since the time of their King Lysimachus, between 305 and 281 BC, the Thracians and Macedonians were used to circulating coins that bore the portrait of Alexander the Great. Thus, the Romans depicted Alexander on their coins as well, with flowing hair and the horn of Ammon. The weight was the same. The coins weighed nearly 17 grams, that corresponded to the widely accepted standard of the Athenian new style tetradrachms. The club was a well-known element of the depiction. Every Thracian and Macedonian knew the club from the tetradrachms the Romans had minted after the Macedonian conquest. The other features of the coin′s imagery, however, were new. We know that the Thracians and Macedonians willingly accepted these coins, and that the Romans kept minting coins of this type bearing the name Aesillas for twenty years, long after Aesillas had left the Province of Macedonia. It was not before the second half of the 1st century that the tetradrachms were replaced by Roman denarii as the most popular currency in Thrace and Macedonia.

On the reverse we see the fiscus; the Roman emperor′s treasury (where money was stored in baskets), as opposed to the public treasury (aerarium). It drew money primarily from revenues of the imperial provinces, forfeited property, and the produce of unclaimed lands.

cf. Künker Auktion 367, lot 7163 (in xf: €  6.500 + 25% ;
note: the Künker piece is less sharp than the piece offered here

BMC pag.19, 81-83 ; HGC 3, 1110 ; SNG.Copenhagen 1330 ;
AMNG.,pag.72, 223 ; Sear 1463 ; de Callataÿ, Aesillias, D10 ;
SNG Ashmolean 3305 ; Bauslaugh, group II
Minor flaw on obverse, but very lustrous specimen with excellent details.
Near mintstate. Very rare in this high state of preservation.
xf/unc

weight 16,75gr. ; silver Ø 32mm.

obv. Head of Alexander the Great right, with horn of Ammon and flowing hair,
Θ behind, MAKEΔONΩN beneath
rev. Money-chest (cista or fiscus), club and chair, AESILLAS  Q  above,
within olive-wreath

Remarkable coin that bears inscriptions in two different languages. On the obverse Makedonon is written in Greek letters while the reverse features the Latin word Aesillas. Aesillas was a Roman Quaestor in the years 93-92 BC. He was responsible for collecting taxes in de Roman province of Macedonia. On the reverse we see a cista, a basket with a lid as it was used for collecting the Roman taxes. On the right-hand side, there is special kind of chair. Everybody living in the Roman Empire recognized this chair as the one a tax collector, a quaestor, was sitting on when performing his duties. Since the time of their King Lysimachus, between 305 and 281 BC, the Thracians and Macedonians were used to circulating coins that bore the portrait of Alexander the Great. Thus, the Romans depicted Alexander on their coins as well, with flowing hair and the horn of Ammon. The weight was the same. The coins weighed nearly 17 grams, that corresponded to the widely accepted standard of the Athenian new style tetradrachms. The club was a well-known element of the depiction. Every Thracian and Macedonian knew the club from the tetradrachms the Romans had minted after the Macedonian conquest. The other features of the coin′s imagery, however, were new. We know that the Thracians and Macedonians willingly accepted these coins, and that the Romans kept minting coins of this type bearing the name Aesillas for twenty years, long after Aesillas had left the Province of Macedonia. It was not before the second half of the 1st century that the tetradrachms were replaced by Roman denarii as the most popular currency in Thrace and Macedonia.

On the reverse we see the fiscus; the Roman emperor′s treasury (where money was stored in baskets), as opposed to the public treasury (aerarium). It drew money primarily from revenues of the imperial provinces, forfeited property, and the produce of unclaimed lands.

cf. Künker Auktion 367, lot 7163 (in xf: €  6.500 + 25% ;
note: the Künker piece is less sharp than the piece offered here

BMC pag.19, 81-83 ; HGC 3, 1110 ; SNG.Copenhagen 1330 ;
AMNG.,pag.72, 223 ; Sear 1463 ; de Callataÿ, Aesillias, D10 ;
SNG Ashmolean 3305 ; Bauslaugh, NS22, D13/R76 (this coin)
Minor flan failure on reverse, but wonderful coin with appealing tone.
Very attractive and hard to find this nice.
xf

weight 3,45gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Head of Alexander the Great right, with horn of Ammon and flowing hair,
MAKEΔONΩN beneath
rev. Money-chest (fiscus), club and sella curulis (chair), SVRRA•LEG / PRO,
above Q to right, within olive-wreath

Remarkable coin that bears inscriptions in two different languages. On the obverse Makedonon is written in Greek letters while the reverse features the Latin legens SVVRA LEG PRO Q. Quintus Braetius (also Bruttius) Sura was a Roman legatus pro quaestore in the years 93-87 BC, under the praetor (proconsul) Caius Sentius Saturninus. He was responsible for collecting taxes in de Roman province of Macedonia. On the reverse we see a cista, a basket with a lid as it was used for collecting the Roman taxes. On the right-hand side, there is special kind of chair. Everybody living in the Roman Empire recognized this chair as the one a tax collector, a quaestor, was sitting on when performing his duties. Since the time of their King Lysimachus, between 305 and 281 BC, the Thracians and Macedonians were used to circulating coins that bore the portrait of Alexander the Great. Thus, the Romans depicted Alexander on their coins as well, with flowing hair and the horn of Ammon. The weight of the tetradrachm (ca. 16,80gr). and drachm (ca.4,20gr,) was the same. and corresponded to the widely accepted standard of the Athenian new style tetradrachms. The club was a well-known element of the depiction. Every Thracian and Macedonian knew the club from the tetradrachms the Romans had minted after the Macedonian conquest. The other features of the coin′s imagery, however, were new. We know that the Thracians and Macedonians willingly accepted these coins, and that the Romans kept minting coins of this type bearing the name Aesillas for twenty years, long after Aesillas had left the Province of Macedonia. It was not before the second half of the 1st century that the tetradrachms were replaced by Roman denarii as the most popular currency in Thrace and Macedonia.

On the reverse we see the fiscus; the Roman emperor′s treasury (where money was stored in baskets), as opposed to the public treasury (aerarium). It drew money primarily from revenues of the imperial provinces, forfeited property, and the produce of unclaimed lands.

After his task as legatus pro quaetore , Quintus Braetius Sura (also known as Bruttius Sura) was a Roman commander who fought in the First Mithridatic War (89-85 BC). He was the first Roman commander to successfully resist Mithridates′ advance. Coins from Quintus Braetius Sura are sporadically offered. The extremely rare tetradrachm is the only coin type that is still offered with any regularity. Only a few pieces of the drachma are known, which almost never come onto the market. Coin of the highest rarity.

BMC – (cf. pag.20, 87 = tetradrachm) ; SNG.Copenhagen - ;
AMNG.- (cf. pag.73, no.225 = tetradrachm) ;
Sear- ; HGC – (cf. 3, 1111 = tetradrachm) RRRR
off-centered obverse and minor traces of oxidation
f/f+