Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature Sale 3049 12-13 Sep 2016
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Ancients
CIMMERIAN BOSPORUS. Panticapaeum(?). Ca. 450-350 BC. AR obol (1.03 gm). Facing lion's head / A-Π-Ο-Λ in quarters of incuse square. HGC 7, --, cf. 36 (triobol) and 46 (hemiobol). Cf. SNG BM Black Sea 844 (Hemidrachm). See CNG E-Auction 84 (2004), lot 12 for another example. Extremely rare and seemingly unrecorded as a denomination with this reverse inscription. Toned Extremely Fine. The reverse ethnic of this intriguing coin would seem to suggest a city name of Apollonia, however the types are a close match for larger (triobol) and smaller (hemiobol) denominations issued by Panticapaeum, except with the reverse letters Π-Α-Ν-Τ. It has been asserted that Apollonia was an early or alternate name for Panticapaeum; while this cannot be confirmed by this cataloguer, it does seem there was a prominent temple of Apollo Prostates in the city, which may offer an explanation for the unusual ethnic.
Estimate: 150-200 USD
CIMMERIAN BOSPORUS. Panticapaeum(?). Ca. 450-350 BC. AR obol (1.03 gm). Facing lion's head / A-Π-Ο-Λ in quarters of incuse square. HGC 7, --, cf. 36 (triobol) and 46 (hemiobol). Cf. SNG BM Black Sea 844 (Hemidrachm). See CNG E-Auction 84 (2004), lot 12 for another example. Extremely rare and seemingly unrecorded as a denomination with this reverse inscription. Toned Extremely Fine. The reverse ethnic of this intriguing coin would seem to suggest a city name of Apollonia, however the types are a close match for larger (triobol) and smaller (hemiobol) denominations issued by Panticapaeum, except with the reverse letters Π-Α-Ν-Τ. It has been asserted that Apollonia was an early or alternate name for Panticapaeum; while this cannot be confirmed by this cataloguer, it does seem there was a prominent temple of Apollo Prostates in the city, which may offer an explanation for the unusual ethnic.
Estimate: 150-200 USD