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Nomos 37

Zurich, 16 November 2025, 14:00 CET

Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Limmatquai 54, 8001 Zurich

overview
Estimate: 2500 CHF
Hammer Price:  7500 CHF
Lot 127

MYSIA. Kyzikos. Circa 500-450 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 11 mm, 2.66 g), Phokaic standard. Europa, with her hair tied in a bun at the back and wearing a short-sleeved garment, seated sidesaddle on the back of a bull (Zeus) charging to left, her right hand holding on to a horn, and her left resting on his hindquarters; below, tunny fish to left. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 108. Cf. BMFA 1477 (stater) and SNG BN 250 (stater). Very rare especially as a hekte, and undoubtedly the best example offered in the last few decades. Banker's mark on obverse field, otherwise, good extremely fine.



While we know from the myth that Europa was actually carried off by Zeus, an action that nowadays would be rather frowned upon, in this representation Europe seems to be enjoying herself. She had probably realised that this was quite a special bull and, presumably, would change back into something more reasonable before things became serious.

Online bidding closes: 16 Nov 2025, 09:00:00 CET Current Date & Time: 4 Jun 2026, 20:53:48 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:7500 CHF
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