Nomos

Auction 17  –  26 October 2018

Nomos, Auction 17

Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic Coins, European Medals

Fr, 26.10.2018, from 12:00 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

LUCANIA. Metapontum. Circa 400-340 BC. Nomos or Didrachm (Silver, 20 mm, 7.63 g, 3 h). Head of Demeter (?) to right, wearing a pendant earring and a simple necklace, with her hair bound in a sakkos ornamented with stars. Rev. ΜΕΤΑ Barley ear with leaf to left; below leaf, ΛΥ. Gillet 154 (this coin). Nicely toned and with a lovely female head. Extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection and from the B. in B. Collection, Nomos 8, 22 October 2013, 20 and ex Bank Leu 33, 3 May 1983, 20, and from the collection of C. Gillet, 154.

Whether the head on this coin is really that of Demeter is uncertain: there are no grain ears or leaves in her hair as one would expect, and the use of a simple sakkos as a hair ornament is what one would expect to see on a nymph. In any event, this head is a particularly noble one, both intelligent and kindly.

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Bidding

Price realized 7'500 CHF
Starting price 5'200 CHF
Estimate 6'500 CHF
The auction is closed.
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