MACEDON. Skione. Circa 470-454/3 BC. Hemiobol (Silver, 6.5 mm, 0.32 g, 4 h). Male head to right, wearing tainia. Rev. Corinthian helmet to right; all within an incuse square . Cf. AMNG III, 2, p. 109, 6 and pl. XXI, 13 ( younger head of later style ). HGC 3, I, 678. A rare variety, well-struck and with an intriguing portrait. Minor uncleaned deposits, otherwise, good very fine.

From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions.

Most of the silver coins of Skione bear the head of a youthful hero, presumably Protesilaos. The first ones show him helmeted and are labeled with his name; all the remaining bear young, athletic head, wearing a tainia with his hair cut short. But this shows us something that seems to be different: here he seems to be older and to have an actual personality, rather than being a generic youth. There is a 'warts-and-all' realism in this head, which makes one wonder whether this could be an actual portrait of some prominent citizen.