Nomos 3

ISLANDS off THRACE, Thasos. Circa 435-411 BC. Stater (Silver, 8.67 g). Satyr, moving to right, holding a nymph who vaguely protests in his arms Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. BMC 29. Very rare. An attractive piece but with a rather unusual satyr, different from most others. Slightly rough surfaces, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

From the East Side collection, Switzerland..

The satyr and nymph coinage of Thasos is one of the most common issues of the 5th century, thanks to the productive silver mines Thasos possessed. This piece, one of the uncommon later 5th century issues, bears a satyr who is a cross between the truly primitive creatures the Thasiote engravers portrayed early in the century, and the fully classical creatures that appear, normally, on dies of the period to which this coin is ascribed. This bald-headed satyr has power, but also sensitivity and, even, kindness. He certainly would not be carrying the nymph unless she wanted to be.