Ionia. Phokaia. 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.57g). Bodenstedt 37; Boston 1896. Old cabinet tone. Perfectly centered and struck. A charming coin. Choice extremely fine. From the Sadijas collection; Tradart 1992 (2) lot 108; Bank Leu 1986 (38) lot 114

Throughout Greek culture, the ram figures prominently as a metaphor of strength and courage. Accordingly, Homeric heroes are likened to thick-fleeced lambs (Iliad 3.197). In Attic vase painting, rams are often represented in an explicitly sacrificial context. Rams of Odysseus or Phrixos are thus sacrificed as soon as they have finished their tasks because their sacrifice is part of history. The emblematic power of the Golden Fleece recalls the story of Atreus and Thyestes: the kingdom belonged to him who owned the golden lamb.