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Nomos 12

22 May 2016
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zürich
overview

A very rare Stater from Phaistos

Estimate: 2500 CHF
Hammer Price:  8000 CHF
Lot 82

CRETE, Phaistos. Circa 330-320 BC. Stater (Silver, 27mm, 11.43 g 10). 𐅝ΕΛΧΑΝΟΣ (retrograde) The nude figure of a young man, Velchanos, seated left within a tree; holding a rooster, standing on his right knee, with his right hand, and resting his left on his seat. Rev. ΦΑΙΣΤΙΟΝ Bull, with head lowered, butting to right. Le Rider p. 91, 38 and pl. XXII, 20. Svoronos p. 259, 29 and pl. XXIII, 24. Very rare and of elegant style. Dark patina as found and with traces of overstriking; otherwise, good very fine or better.


From the Brünn Collection, acquired in Italy prior to World War I.

Velchanos was a youthful male deity of Cretan origin; in time he became identified as Zeus and was worshipped in the form of a divine boy (one of his titles was ho megas kouros or ‘the great youth’). His sanctuaries were often in caves or in woodlands (as here).

Online bidding closes: 22 May 2016, 03:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 28 Mar 2024, 23:07:47 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:8000 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 22 Mai 2016 at 3:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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