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Nomos 13

7 October 2016
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zürich
overview

Extremely rare and among the finest examples known

Estimate: 50000 CHF
Hammer Price:  60000 CHF
Lot 140

Pyrrhos, King of Epiros, 297-272 BC. Stater (Gold, 15mm, 4.27 g 6), as King of Sicily, Syracuse, 278-275. Head of Artemis to right, wearing pendant earring and pearl necklace, and with her quiver on her left shoulder; behind, bee. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠYPPOY Nike alighting to left, holding trophy over her left arm and wreath in her right hand; in the upper left field, crescent. BMC 5. Giesecke pl. 23, 2-3. Extremely rare. A particularly lovely example. Extremely fine.


From a European private collection, ex Roma 5, 23 March 2013, 162 (illustrated on the front cover), and previously in a Belgian collection.

The types used by Pyrrhos on this coin were expressly chosen to remind the user that King Agathokles of Syracuse was once Pyrrhos’ father-in-law, through the Epirote king’s second wife Lanassa. Initially this may have brought Pyrrhos considerable support, but soon the Sicilians soured on him, finally allying with their habitual enemies the Carthaginians in order to throw him out.

Online bidding closes: 7 Oct 2016, 11:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 28 Mar 2024, 18:37:45 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:60000 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 7 Oktober 2016 at 11:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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