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Nomos 18

5 May 2019
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zurich
overview
Estimate: 3750 CHF
Hammer Price:  17000 CHF
Lot 39

BRUTTIUM. Kroton. Circa 400-325 BC. Stater (Silver, 20 mm, 7.68 g, 6 h), circa 340s BC. ΚΡΟΤΟΝΙΑ - ΤΑΣ Laureate head of Apollo to right, with his long hair streaming down the back of his neck. Rev. Infant Herakles (Herakliskos) seated facing, his head turned to left, strangling two snakes, holding one in each hand. Gulbenkian 133 (same reverse die). HN III 2157. Jameson 433. Kraay ACGC 637. Kraay & Hirmer 271. SNG ANS 386. SNG Lloyd 618. A beautifully toned coin of splendid late classical style. Extremely fine.

From an American Collection, ex Münzen und Medaillen 88, 17 May 1999, 48 and Leu 61, 17 May 1995, 47.

The dates of this issue are somewhat in turmoil: HN III's arrangement places them at the start of the period c. 400-325, comparing the Herakliskos to the types issued in Asia Minor c. 394. However, the late Silvia Hurter dated them to the 340s, comparing them to the last late classical tetradrachms of Rhegion with their flamboyant heads of Apollo. The parallels are very strong, indeed, and it seems unlikely that the Krotoniate issues should be earlier than those of Rhegion; after all, an engraver asked to design a die for a stater would be more likely to be inspired by the head on a large, impressive, and existing tetradrachm, rather than vice-versa. So it is curious that HN III dates the tetradrachms to c. 356-351, at least a generation after its date for the staters. It would seem that, once again, SH's feel for dating was the right one.
The dies used to strike this coin are very similar but not the same as those used for the following lot: this indicates that, as an issue, this Herakliskos series was a rather extensive one (albeit with a low rate of survival).

Online bidding closes: 5 May 2019, 14:30:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 28 Mar 2024, 14:46:57 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:17000 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 5 Mai 2019 at 14:30 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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