Watch List notes:

GREEK COINS
CRETE

Gortyna. Circa 330-270 BC. Stater (Silver, 24mm, 11.42 g 10). Europa, nude to the waist, seated facing in plane tree, raising her veil with her right hand and, with her left, holding an eagle with spread wings in her lap; underneath her at the left, bull's head to left. Rev. Bull standing to right, swishing his tail and with his head turned back to left. BMC 30 = Svoronos p. 168, 84 and pl. XV, 7 (this obverse die). Künker 136, 2008, 81 (same dies). Le Rider -. A very rare and enigmatic variety. Some striking faults but attractive and clear. Traces of overstriking as usual, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

From the Brünn Collection, acquired in Italy prior to World War I.
Coins of this general type - showing Europa seated in a plane tree - are quite well known; they almost invariably show a vigorous young bull on their reverses, often turning his head back to lick his flank or hoof. The total scene clearly refers to the myth, in which Europa, a Phoenician princess, was beguiled by a handsome and apparently gentle white bull who, after she playfully climbed on his back, rushed off into the sea and swam to Crete. Once there he returned to his normal form and, as was his wont, got her with child (in this case three sons). However, on this coin, we are not shown Zeus in human form but as an eagle flying into her lap; and not only that, there is the usual bull (presumably Zeus once again) on the reverse and, most unusually indeed, the head of a bull peeps out from under the seated Europa (if he is Zeus too one wonders what, exactly, is meant to be going on). Do note, of course, that Svoronos had already called attention to that bull on the obverse.