Nomos 20

ISLANDS OFF THRACE, Thasos. Circa 500-463 BC. Stater (Silver, 21 mm, 9.40 g). Nude ithyphallic Satyr moving to right in the archaic ‘running-kneeling’ position, holding a nymph in his arms, who wears thin robes and raises her right hand in protest. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square of windmill form. Asyut 104. Le Rider, Thasiennes 2. HGC 6, 331. SNG Copenhagen 1008-1009. Very well-centered and well-struck. Of unusually fine archaic style. Extremely fine.

This is an especially fine and well-struck example of the enormous late 6th or early 5th century coinage of Thasos. These coins were used in trade over much of the eastern Mediterranean world – and far to the east in Asia as well – and were a profitable way for the Thasians to export the products of the major silver mines they controlled. Satyrs and nymphs were part of the mythological world of Macedonia and Thrace, were often shown on coins minted in the area, and probably reflected the festivals and activities of the time.