Nomos 24

KYRENAICA. Euhesperides. Circa 450 BC. Drachm (Silver, 14.5 mm, 3.38 g). Silphium plant with two pairs of leaves and five umbels. Rev. Ε - Υ - Ε - Σ Within a dotted circle, head of bearded Zeus-Ammon to right, with a ram’s horn over his ear and with his hair bound in simple plaits; all within an incuse square. BMC 2-4 and pl. XXXVIII, 7-9, and SNG Cop. 1300 (all struck from the same dies). Warren, Regling, 1368 (this coin). Very rare. Beautifully toned and particularly attractive. Extremely fine.

From a European collection formed prior to 2005, and from that of Comtesse de Béhague, Vinchon, 14 April 1984, 220 and E. P. Warren ("Well Known Amateur"), Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 2 May 1905, 39 .

Settlers from Cyrene or Barce founded Euhesperides during the last quarter of the sixth century BC. During the mid third century, the city changed its name to Berenike to honor the wife of Ptolemy III and daughter of the governor, Magas.