Nomos

Auction 18  –  5 May 2019

Nomos, Auction 18

Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Medieval Coins

Su, 05.05.2019, from 4:00 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

LUCANIA. Thourioi. Circa 370 BC. Distater (Silver, 27 mm, 15.40 g, 5 h). Head of Athena to left, wearing helmet adorned, on the bowl, with Skylla raising her right hand as if to shade her eyes as she looks off in the distance. Rev. ΘΟΥΡΙΩΝ Bull butting to right, his head bent round towards the viewer; in exergue, [fish to right]. HN III 1804. Noe D 12 (b = SNG ANS 961 same dies ). An impressive toned piece, very sharply struck on a broad flan and, despite some problems, very attractive. Has been expertly cleaned. With a very serious die break on the obverse, on the back of Athena's head, and a minor die break on the reverse, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection, formed prior to 2005.

The die break on the obverse of this coin, while ostensibly a serious fault, in fact makes the head of Athena both curiously attractive and rather sculptural in a 'modern' way! As we can see on Noe's plates, the die was apparently used until the break became so massive that it precluded any further use. This piece must have been one of the final strikings: the location of the break, covering the back of Athena's head, is highly reminiscent of the way such modern masters, like Rodin for example, made portrait heads that appeared to emerge out of the stone block from which they were carved. Thus, the subject's features are emphasized in the eyes of the viewer. That is exactly what this fortuitous 'defect' does to the head of Athena on this coin!.

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Bidding

Price realized 2'000 CHF
Starting price 2'000 CHF
Estimate 2'500 CHF
The auction is closed.
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