Nomos 1

MACEDON, Mende. Circa 425. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.06 g 3). Dionysos, wearing wreath and himation, reclining on the back of a donkey walking to right; he holds a kantharos in his right hand, propping it on his right knee, and rests his left hand on the donkey’s side Rev. ΜΕΝΔΑΙΟΝ Inscription around linear square containing vine with four bunches of grapes and small leaf in the center; all within incuse square. Franke-Marathraki figs. 56 and 118. Gulbenkian 412.Noe, Mende 85. A superb piece, very attractively toned and one of the finest tetradrachms of Mende known. Extremely fine.

From the Spina collection, ex Leu 77, 11 May 2000,164.

The classical coinage of Mende came to an end with the Athenian recapture of the city in 423. This piece, struck shortly before, has a remarkably sculptural quality, comparable to the best contemporary works in marble or bronze. The serene and sober portrayal of Dionysos, the city’s patron, is of surpassing elegance, showing the god completely in control of himself, despite the large drinking vessel he holds in his hand.