Concordia Numismatic

Auction 3  –  31 March - 1 April 2023

Concordia Numismatic, Auction 3

Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Medieval and Islamic Coins, Weights and Seals

Part 1: Fr, 31.03.2023, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 2: Sa, 01.04.2023, from 4:00 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

★ Among the finest of a very few known examples! ★

Among the finest of a very few known examples!
Lesbos, Mytilene. EL Hekte, 2.51 g 10.52 mm. Circa 430-410 BC.
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right
Rev: Head of griffin to right, with stylised eagle head and reptile crest, within a dotted frame; all within incuse square.
Ref: Bodenstedt 60.1; Boston MFA 1704.
VF/EF
The city of Lesbos takes its name from Lesbos, the son of Lapithes. Lesbos leaves Greece at the command of a god and goes to Lesbos. There he marries Methymna, a king's daughter. In this way he becomes owner of the island and giving his name to the island. He gave his wife's name to one of the largest cities on the island. Lebos has developed throughout history and has become a wealthy city, largely thanks to maritime trade. In addition, the city is the birthplace of poets such as Arion, Alkaios, Terpandros and important philosophers such as Hellanicus. A Sappho girls' school was established on Lesvos, which offered a rich and cultural life. The island had its heyday in the Archaic period. During this period, many cities in the Troas region were ruled by Lesbos.
The reverse of this coin features a stylized griffin head depicting the head of Apollo wearing a laurel wreath. The main iconographic features of the figure, the open mouth and the tongue stuck out, are reflected on the coin. The pointed ears of the griffin reflect, among other things, the traces of oriental influences that were transferred to Hellenic art during the period of orientalisation.
The depiction of the griffin with Apollo is linked to the cult of Apollo on the island in terms of the character's religious relationship. According to tradition, griffins are Apollo's guardiandogs. Strabo relates that the cult of Apollo Hekatos (archer hitting the target with his arrow) was widespread in the region (Strabo, XIII 2,5). The Griffin, which is a symbol of the city and accepted as Apollo's guardian dog, and Apollo, which is worshiped as a cult in the region, were brought together on the island's coins.

Described by Pactolus Numismatic Academy (PNA).

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Bidding

Price realized 2'400 EUR 30 bids
Starting price 10 EUR
Estimate 2'200 EUR
The auction is closed.
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