Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 96 14-15 February 2017
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Carian Satraps. Pixodaros. Silver Didrachm (6.62 g), ca. 341/0-336/5 BC. Halikarnassos. Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly right. Reverse: ΠIΞΩΔAPOY, Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding labrys and scepter. SNG Kayhan 891-2; SNG von Aulock 2375-6; SNG Copenhagen 597. Wonderful style. Well struck with a beautiful light iridescent tone. Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $1,000 - 1,400
From the Hanbery Collection; Purchased privately from Dr. Arnold Saslow Rare Coins & Classical Arts in 1987.
Although the types of this coin were inherited by Pixodaros from his brothers, Maussollos and Idrieus who ruled Caria before him, the style of Apollo on this coin owes a great deal to the contemporary facing Helios head of Rhodian coinage. This is perhaps not overly surprising since the island of Rhodes was technically part of the Carian satrapy and the Hekatomnid dynasty had a history of cooperation with the Rhodians for their mutual benefit. The reverse type depicts Zeus Labraundos, a local deity worshipped at a shrine near the Aegean coast of Caria. His sanctuary was traditionally favored by the Hekatomnid dynasty and was lavishly expanded and decorated under its patronage. The image of Zeus Labraundos may in fact represent the lost cult statue donated by Hekatomnos, the founder of the dynasty and father of Pixodaros. This impressive gift is noted in an inscription from the sanctuary (A. Westholm, Labraunda I.2. The Architecture of the Hieron [1963], no. 6).Despite the fact that his coinage followed the established pattern of his predecessors, Pixodaros had his own claim to fame as the almost father-in-law of Alexander the Great. The proposed marriage between Alexander and Pixodaros' daughter fell through when Philip II discovered that the arrangement was being made behind his back. Philip had intended Alexander's half-brother Arrhidaios to cement a marriage alliance with Pixodaros.
From the Hanbery Collection; Purchased privately from Dr. Arnold Saslow Rare Coins & Classical Arts in 1987.
Although the types of this coin were inherited by Pixodaros from his brothers, Maussollos and Idrieus who ruled Caria before him, the style of Apollo on this coin owes a great deal to the contemporary facing Helios head of Rhodian coinage. This is perhaps not overly surprising since the island of Rhodes was technically part of the Carian satrapy and the Hekatomnid dynasty had a history of cooperation with the Rhodians for their mutual benefit. The reverse type depicts Zeus Labraundos, a local deity worshipped at a shrine near the Aegean coast of Caria. His sanctuary was traditionally favored by the Hekatomnid dynasty and was lavishly expanded and decorated under its patronage. The image of Zeus Labraundos may in fact represent the lost cult statue donated by Hekatomnos, the founder of the dynasty and father of Pixodaros. This impressive gift is noted in an inscription from the sanctuary (A. Westholm, Labraunda I.2. The Architecture of the Hieron [1963], no. 6).Despite the fact that his coinage followed the established pattern of his predecessors, Pixodaros had his own claim to fame as the almost father-in-law of Alexander the Great. The proposed marriage between Alexander and Pixodaros' daughter fell through when Philip II discovered that the arrangement was being made behind his back. Philip had intended Alexander's half-brother Arrhidaios to cement a marriage alliance with Pixodaros.