Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
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GAUL. The Ambiani. Ca. 125-100 BC. AV stater (26mm, 7.62 gm, 10h). Gallo-Belgic class AB 1, large flan type. Stylized 'Celticized' laureate bust of Apollo (or Celtic goddess) left, with oversized head of hair, vine tendril emerging from ear and running to top of head, the ear and hair tendrils represented by three crescents, the bust draped elaborately with embroidered robes / Celtic horse galloping left, stylized charioteer above, dotted cross and vine-like pattern with hanging grape bunches above and around periphery, rosette annulet below horse. D&T 65. Scheers Series 8, 63. De la Tour 7886. Cf. SCBC 2. Rare and desirable "large flan" issue, in an exceptional state of preservation. NGC XF★ 5/5 - 5/5. Fine Style. Ex Roger Kohn Collection.This extraordinary stater is notable both for the stylistic progression it exemplifies and for the fine eye and career of the French connoisseur in whose collection it once resided. Although originally derived from Macedonian gold staters of Philip II, this type has moved far beyond mere imitation into the realm of original design, in which case the head of "Apollo" on the obverse, with its enormously enlarged coiffeur and elaborate drapery, should more properly be seen as representing a Gallo-Celtic goddess, perhaps Sirona, a goddess often depicted as Apollo's consort in later Celtic imagery. This progress toward a distinctive Celtic numismatic art could be seen as reaching its peak with this coin type; later derivations drift off into rote repetition and decadence, with the goddesses' face disappearing altogether and the entire flan filled an abstract pattern of wavy lines and crescents seen here in her hair. Roger Kohn, the collector, was a Parisian who lived 1883-1939 and who was responsible for apartments, town halls, and churches across France. A graduate of the prestigious Ecole des Beaux Arts, his love of Greek and Celtic art found expression both in his designs and his extensive coin collection, which included this remarkable piece.
Estimate: 20000-28000 USD
GAUL. The Ambiani. Ca. 125-100 BC. AV stater (26mm, 7.62 gm, 10h). Gallo-Belgic class AB 1, large flan type. Stylized 'Celticized' laureate bust of Apollo (or Celtic goddess) left, with oversized head of hair, vine tendril emerging from ear and running to top of head, the ear and hair tendrils represented by three crescents, the bust draped elaborately with embroidered robes / Celtic horse galloping left, stylized charioteer above, dotted cross and vine-like pattern with hanging grape bunches above and around periphery, rosette annulet below horse. D&T 65. Scheers Series 8, 63. De la Tour 7886. Cf. SCBC 2. Rare and desirable "large flan" issue, in an exceptional state of preservation. NGC XF★ 5/5 - 5/5. Fine Style. Ex Roger Kohn Collection.This extraordinary stater is notable both for the stylistic progression it exemplifies and for the fine eye and career of the French connoisseur in whose collection it once resided. Although originally derived from Macedonian gold staters of Philip II, this type has moved far beyond mere imitation into the realm of original design, in which case the head of "Apollo" on the obverse, with its enormously enlarged coiffeur and elaborate drapery, should more properly be seen as representing a Gallo-Celtic goddess, perhaps Sirona, a goddess often depicted as Apollo's consort in later Celtic imagery. This progress toward a distinctive Celtic numismatic art could be seen as reaching its peak with this coin type; later derivations drift off into rote repetition and decadence, with the goddesses' face disappearing altogether and the entire flan filled an abstract pattern of wavy lines and crescents seen here in her hair. Roger Kohn, the collector, was a Parisian who lived 1883-1939 and who was responsible for apartments, town halls, and churches across France. A graduate of the prestigious Ecole des Beaux Arts, his love of Greek and Celtic art found expression both in his designs and his extensive coin collection, which included this remarkable piece.
Estimate: 20000-28000 USD