Nomos

Auction 10  –  18 May 2015

Nomos, Auction 10

Greek, Roman and Byzantine Coins

Mo, 18.05.2015, from 4:00 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

GREEK COINS Sicily Syracuse, c. 415-405 BC. Gelon, son of Hieron II, 275-216/5 BC. 4 Litrai (Silver, 16mm, 3.32g 6), c. 240. Diademed head of Gelon to left. Rev. ΣΥΡΑΚΟ ΣIOI ΓΕΛΩΝΟΣ Ea­gle with closed wings standing to right on a thunderbolt; to left, E; to right, BA. BMC 534. SNG ANS 898 ( same reverse die ); SNG Lockett 1020. Giesecke pl. 25, 12 ( same dies ). Rare. An unusually fine, toned and attractive exam­ple with an elegant portrait of fine hellenistic style. Ex­tremely fine. Ex Tradart 7, 17 Novemeber 1994, 31. Gelon, son of Hieron II and co-king of Syracuse, was an interest­ing character. He was intelligent enough to have Archimedes dedicate his study, The Sand Reckoner, to him, but he was unwise enough to seek to break Hieron’s alliance with Rome in the af­termath of the battle of Cannae. This resulted in his assassination by his father’s orders. The quality of this portrait shows him as a serious and strong personality.

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Price realized 2'900 CHF
Starting price 1'600 CHF
Estimate 2'000 CHF
The auction is closed.
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