• Finest Quality Ancient Greek, Roman & Byzantine Coins
  • Renaissance & 17th Century Dutch Medals
  • Auctions & Private Treaty Sales

Nomos 10

18 May 2015
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zürich
overview
Estimate: 50000 CHF
Hammer Price:  44000 CHF
Lot 33

BOEOTIA, Thebes. c. 405-395 BC. Stater (Silver, 20mm, 11.91 g). Boeotian shield. Rev. Θ - Ε Bearded head of Dionysos, three-quarters facing, turned slightly to right, wearing ivy wreath. BCD Boiotia 457 (this coin). BMC 104. Jameson 1164. Very rare. Attractively toned and with an elegant and serene head of Dionysos of the finest Classical style. Good very fine.


Ex Nomos 7, 15 May 2013, 87, from the BCD Collection, Triton IX, 10 January 2006, 457 and ex Bank Leu 30, 28 April 1982, 113.

This is one of the most magnificent of all the coins struck by Thebes. It shows the city’s patron in an exceptionally calm and noble way, with no hint of dissipation. It also illustrates a particularly Theban manner of making a facing portrait: we see the head without even a hint of neck, thus giving it a sacral disembodied character of great power. Somewhat intriguingly, and emphasizing the importance of this type of portrait, profile heads are never shown this way at Thebes.

Online bidding closes: 18 May 2015, 11:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 16 Apr 2024, 10:45:35 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:44000 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 18 Mai 2015 at 11:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙
Reconnecting, please wait...