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Obolos 17

20 December 2020
Webauction
overview

A coin with hidden features

Starting Price: 50 CHF
Hammer Price:  900 CHF
Lot 466

LYDIA. Philadelphia. Pseudo-autonomous issue, 1st-2nd centuries. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 16 mm, 2.35 g, 6 h). Youthful head of Herakles to right, lion's skin tied at neck. Rev. ΦΙΛΑΔ-ΕΛΦΕΩΝ Grape bunch on vine with leaves, the berries showing the facial features of Dionysos. Cf. BMC 36 (without facing bust). GRPC Lydia, - but cf. 82. Lindgren & Kovacs -. Lindgren III -. McClean -. RPC -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG Hunterian -. SNG Leypold -. SNG Righetti -. SNG von Aulock -. Weber -. Unpublished with the head in the grapes. Green patina with earthen deposits. Only the second example known, with the other -still unpublished- in the possession of a distinguished American collector. Very fine.



Very few ancient coins have features hidden within the designs. This outstanding coin depicts a facing bearded head within the grape bunch on the reverse. Considering the subject matter, the head must belong to Dionysos, the god of wine and inebriation.

Online bidding closes: 20 Dec 2020, 18:53:00 CET Current Date & Time: 29 Mar 2024, 16:26:22 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:900 CHF by MailBidder2339 (25 bids)
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