Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIII 23 March 2017
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Ionia, Ephesos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 390 BC. Chian standard. Xeines, magistrate. Bee with slightly curved wings seen from above; Ε-Φ flanking / Forepart of stag to right with head reverted, palm tree to left; ΞΕΙΝΗΣ downward to right. Cf. Ashton et all, 'The Hecatomnus hoard', in Coin Hoards IX, RNS, London 2002, p. 102, 2a (different dies) = Spink NC 1953, 17478. 15.21g, 28mm, 12h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare - the second recorded example.
This is a particularly finely engraved example of Head's period IV tetradrachms which introduced this bold new reverse type to the Ephesian repertoire of issues: the forepart of a stag, sacred to the goddess, and the palm tree under which Artemis was born. This magistrate, ΞΕΙΝΗΣ, is also recorded on a unique didrachm of the previous transition period III (Karwiese, Lysander as Herakliskos Drakonopnigon', NC 1980 pp. 22-3 = ANS 12); the implication therefore is that this issue was one of the very earliest, if not in fact the first, of the now iconic stag and palm tetradrachms.
The quality of engraving on this marvellous tetradrachm is worthy of note; the bee in particular is rendered in a particularly fine, naturalistic style. Evidently the engraver was working from life, having had in all likelihood a specimen to study while he worked. This lifelike image stands in contrast to later issues that most likely copied other coins; all too soon the bee becomes overly geometric and symmetrical - the wings are straightened and squared off, and much of the realistic character present in the design is lost.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare - the second recorded example.
This is a particularly finely engraved example of Head's period IV tetradrachms which introduced this bold new reverse type to the Ephesian repertoire of issues: the forepart of a stag, sacred to the goddess, and the palm tree under which Artemis was born. This magistrate, ΞΕΙΝΗΣ, is also recorded on a unique didrachm of the previous transition period III (Karwiese, Lysander as Herakliskos Drakonopnigon', NC 1980 pp. 22-3 = ANS 12); the implication therefore is that this issue was one of the very earliest, if not in fact the first, of the now iconic stag and palm tetradrachms.
The quality of engraving on this marvellous tetradrachm is worthy of note; the bee in particular is rendered in a particularly fine, naturalistic style. Evidently the engraver was working from life, having had in all likelihood a specimen to study while he worked. This lifelike image stands in contrast to later issues that most likely copied other coins; all too soon the bee becomes overly geometric and symmetrical - the wings are straightened and squared off, and much of the realistic character present in the design is lost.