GREEK COINS
KYRENAICA
Barke. Circa 480-435 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 17mm, 8.13 g 4). Forepart of a winged bull to right, with beaded necklace around its neck (the horns are barely visible due to the surface roughness); below, silphium fruit. Rev. Head and neck of a ram to right; within a beaded border broken by the ram's neck and enclosed in a shallow incuse square. BMC -. BMFA -. SNG Copenhagen -. Apparently unpublished. Of great rarity, probably unique. Toned. Somewhat rough surfaces, otherwise, very fine.
From the Battos collection.
This is quite an extraordinary coin. While it has no inscription it can be confidently ascribed to Barke thanks to its types, which are very similar to ones used there (see BMC 2-4, etc.). Winged bulls are also known from Lykia, among other places; it is interesting to note that the very similar BMC 2 bears the forepart of a bull without wings.