Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 96 14-15 February 2017
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Macedonian Kingdom. Demetrios I Poliorketes. Silver Tetradrachm (17.36 g), 306-283 BC. Amphipolis, ca. 289/8 BC. Diademed and horned head right. Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, Poseidon Pelagaios, nude, standing left, right foot propped on rock, holding trident in left hand, right arm resting on leg; monograms to outer left and right. Newell 123; cf. SNG Alpha Bank 950-2 (position of controls). Fine style and well centered. Nicely toned. Nearly Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $1,500 - 2,000
The Hanbery Collection.
The diademed portrait of Demetrios Poliorketes, which is included among the earliest numismatic depictions of a living Hellenistic king, elevates him to the status of a god through the addition of horns. These not only respond to the horn of Ammon on Lysimachos' celebrated coin portrait of the deified Alexander the Great, but refer to Demetrios' association with Poseidon (in his aspect as Taureos), whose sacred animal was the bull. Indeed, the Athenians hailed him as a son of the sea-god when he entered their city in 291/0 BC. Should there be any doubt about his connection to Poseidon, a depiction of the god - probably representing a lost statue - appears on the reverse.
The Hanbery Collection.
The diademed portrait of Demetrios Poliorketes, which is included among the earliest numismatic depictions of a living Hellenistic king, elevates him to the status of a god through the addition of horns. These not only respond to the horn of Ammon on Lysimachos' celebrated coin portrait of the deified Alexander the Great, but refer to Demetrios' association with Poseidon (in his aspect as Taureos), whose sacred animal was the bull. Indeed, the Athenians hailed him as a son of the sea-god when he entered their city in 291/0 BC. Should there be any doubt about his connection to Poseidon, a depiction of the god - probably representing a lost statue - appears on the reverse.