Numismatica Genevensis SA
Auction 9 14 December 2015
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Asia Minor. Ionia, Klazomenai. Didrachm, c. 499 - 494 BC. (Silver, 6.99g., 19mm). Forepart of a winged boar to right / Quadripartite incuse square. BMC 2. SNG Copenhagen 1. SNG von Aulock 1981.
A lovely, beautifully toned and perfectly centered example. Good extremely fine.
Provenance: Nomos Fixed Price List Winter-Spring 2008, 51. Bank Leu 48, 10 May 1989, 227.
Klazomenai (IACP 847) seems to have a name derived from the Greek verb Κλάζω = to screech (birds) and it may refer to the many swans that seem to have lived in the area. The city was first built on the mainland but later moved to two offshore islands for protection against enemies in Archaic times. These islands were connected to land by a causeway built by Alexander the Great. The city was famous for its olives and, intriguingly, one of its ancient presses was in such good condition when it was excavated that it was restored and is now used to produce a premium oil! While there are 4th century coins from Klazomenai bearing swans, this piece, from the early 5th century has a winged boar as its type. It was produced at the time of the Ionian Revolt, when many of the cities of western Asia Minor rose up against Persian rule (late 499-493 BC). The winged boar on the coin seems to refer to a mythical creature that was supposed to have once lived in the area.
A lovely, beautifully toned and perfectly centered example. Good extremely fine.
Provenance: Nomos Fixed Price List Winter-Spring 2008, 51. Bank Leu 48, 10 May 1989, 227.
Klazomenai (IACP 847) seems to have a name derived from the Greek verb Κλάζω = to screech (birds) and it may refer to the many swans that seem to have lived in the area. The city was first built on the mainland but later moved to two offshore islands for protection against enemies in Archaic times. These islands were connected to land by a causeway built by Alexander the Great. The city was famous for its olives and, intriguingly, one of its ancient presses was in such good condition when it was excavated that it was restored and is now used to produce a premium oil! While there are 4th century coins from Klazomenai bearing swans, this piece, from the early 5th century has a winged boar as its type. It was produced at the time of the Ionian Revolt, when many of the cities of western Asia Minor rose up against Persian rule (late 499-493 BC). The winged boar on the coin seems to refer to a mythical creature that was supposed to have once lived in the area.