The New York Sale
Auction 40 11 January 2017
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ANCIENT COINS, ANCIENT GREEK COINS, Ionia, Phokaia. Electrum Hekte (2.53 g), ca. 478-387 BC. Bearded head of Silenos facing, wreathed with ivy; in left field, small seal upward. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. (Bodenstedt 67 (dies a/; this coin), otherwise unpublished in the major collections). Very rare. Small scrape on the obverse at one o'clock, excellent style. Choice very fine.
ex Prospero Collection (The New York Sale XXVII, Baldwin / Markov / M&M, 4 January 2012), lot 521
ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection, pt. II (Sotheby's, New York, 21-22 June 1990), lot 502
ex NFA V (23-24 February 1978), lot 158
ex Kastner 4 (27 November 1973), lot 125
Silenos was the companion and tutor of the Greek wine-god Dionysos. He was known for having the ears and tail of a horse, and for his prodigious consumption of wine. While intoxicated - virtually his natural state according to the Greek mythographers - he possessed special wisdom and the power of prophecy. It was said that he once advised King Midas of Phrygia that "the best thing for a man is not to be born, and if already born, to die as soon as possible." Perhaps, then, it should come as no shock that Silenos was driven to excessive drink; after all, he was one who always found his glass half empty.
Estimate: $ 3,250
ex Prospero Collection (The New York Sale XXVII, Baldwin / Markov / M&M, 4 January 2012), lot 521
ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection, pt. II (Sotheby's, New York, 21-22 June 1990), lot 502
ex NFA V (23-24 February 1978), lot 158
ex Kastner 4 (27 November 1973), lot 125
Silenos was the companion and tutor of the Greek wine-god Dionysos. He was known for having the ears and tail of a horse, and for his prodigious consumption of wine. While intoxicated - virtually his natural state according to the Greek mythographers - he possessed special wisdom and the power of prophecy. It was said that he once advised King Midas of Phrygia that "the best thing for a man is not to be born, and if already born, to die as soon as possible." Perhaps, then, it should come as no shock that Silenos was driven to excessive drink; after all, he was one who always found his glass half empty.
Estimate: $ 3,250