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Nomos 22

22 June 2021
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zurich

overview
Estimate: 200 CHF
Hammer Price:  320 CHF
Lot 20

GAUL. Massalia. Circa 400 BC. Obol (Silver, 10.5 mm, 0.72 g, 7 h). ΜΑΣΣΑΛΙΩ[Τ-ΑΝ] Bare head of the river-god Lacydon to right, with a tiny horn above his forehead (this obverse type is commonly described as being a head of Apollo). Rev. M in one quarter of four-spoked wheel. Chevillon & Lillamand 2e (same obverse die) and 3a (same reverse die). Feugère & Py, OBM 6h. Maurel 319. Of exceptionally fine classical style, attractively toned and struck in high relief. Some minor striking flatness on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine.



The early "Apollo" head obols of Massalia - in fact, the head is that of the river-god Lacydon - began in the late 5th century BC with obols or litrai weighing c. 0.86 g; these soon changed to a lower weight of c. 0.72. This is a fine example of that latter group. The obverse head was strongly influenced by the head of the river-god Anapos on the contemporary gold 50 litrai pieces struck c. 405-400 BC by Dionysios I of Syracuse.

Online bidding closes: 22 Jun 2021, 10:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 29 Mar 2024, 00:52:58 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:320 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 22 Juni 2021 at 10:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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