Numismatica Genevensis SA
Auction 9 14 December 2015
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Southern Greece. Sicyonia, Sicyon. Drachm, late 330s BC. (Silver, 5.87g., 19mm). Chimaera moving to left on ground line, right forepaw raised; below Chimaera, Σ Ε / Dove flying left with open wings and Ι below neck; all within olive wreath tied at the right. BCD Peloponnesos 228 (this coin). BMC 68.
Rare in this state, beautifully toned and most attractive. Good extremely fine.
Provenance: BCD Collection, LHS 96, 8 May 2006, 228 (this coin).
The early history of Sicyon (IACP 228) is little known, but it apparently supported the Greeks during the Trojan War. The city was first sited on the coast, but was then moved inland when it was taken over by Dorian settlers from Argos. At the end of the 4th century BC Demetrios Poliorketes moved it to a plateau even further inland. Sicyon's greatest period of power ran from the 7th through the mid 6th century when it was controlled by the Orthagorid dynasty of tyrants. The most famous member of that dynasty was Cleisthenes, who ruled c. 600-570 BC – he was the grandfather of the famous Athenian Cleisthenes (c. 570-480 BC) and the great-great-grandfather of Pericles. The city reached heights of prosperity under the Orthagorids, but they were deposed c. 565 and replaced by an oligarchy that lasted until Macedonian times. For most of this period Sicyon was allied with Sparta and produced the most extensive of all Peloponnesian silver coinages: its silver issues supported Sparta's War efforts during the Peloponnesian War, and were equally vital during the challenging years of the of the 4th century. Sicyonian bronze was also issued in truly enormous quantities from the 4th century on and must have served as a form of regional small change. This beautiful drachm shows the city's classic coin types, the monstrous chimaera on the obverse and the dove on the reverse. Coins like this were vital for paying mercenaries (among other things): a drachm paid for a soldier's daily wage (paid at the end of his enlistment). The elegance and beauty of this coin provide a perfect example of the Greek belief that even the simplest and most utilitarian of things had to be made with art.
Rare in this state, beautifully toned and most attractive. Good extremely fine.
Provenance: BCD Collection, LHS 96, 8 May 2006, 228 (this coin).
The early history of Sicyon (IACP 228) is little known, but it apparently supported the Greeks during the Trojan War. The city was first sited on the coast, but was then moved inland when it was taken over by Dorian settlers from Argos. At the end of the 4th century BC Demetrios Poliorketes moved it to a plateau even further inland. Sicyon's greatest period of power ran from the 7th through the mid 6th century when it was controlled by the Orthagorid dynasty of tyrants. The most famous member of that dynasty was Cleisthenes, who ruled c. 600-570 BC – he was the grandfather of the famous Athenian Cleisthenes (c. 570-480 BC) and the great-great-grandfather of Pericles. The city reached heights of prosperity under the Orthagorids, but they were deposed c. 565 and replaced by an oligarchy that lasted until Macedonian times. For most of this period Sicyon was allied with Sparta and produced the most extensive of all Peloponnesian silver coinages: its silver issues supported Sparta's War efforts during the Peloponnesian War, and were equally vital during the challenging years of the of the 4th century. Sicyonian bronze was also issued in truly enormous quantities from the 4th century on and must have served as a form of regional small change. This beautiful drachm shows the city's classic coin types, the monstrous chimaera on the obverse and the dove on the reverse. Coins like this were vital for paying mercenaries (among other things): a drachm paid for a soldier's daily wage (paid at the end of his enlistment). The elegance and beauty of this coin provide a perfect example of the Greek belief that even the simplest and most utilitarian of things had to be made with art.