Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXI Sessions 1 & 2 9 Jan 2018
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MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 450-330 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (9.5mm, 2.60 g). Bearded male, nude but for petasos and cloak tied at neck, crouching left on the back of a sacrificial ram lying left, holding its head up with his left hand, exposing its neck that he prepares to strike with a knife held above in his right hand / Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. Von Fritze I 156 (unlisted denomination); Greenwell 71; Boston MFA –; SNG BN –; BMC –; Gulbenkian –; Jameson –; Rosen –; Weber –; Traité II 2646. EF, lightly toned. Very rare, only two in CoinArchives.
The identification of the male on the obverse has long been debated. M. F. Lenormant first suggested Phrixos sacrificing the ram with the golden fleece, but Greenwell preferred Odysseus slaying the animal Circe provided him before his descent into Hades, in part due to the figure being bearded, which indicated an older individual, which contrasts with the youthful portraits traditionally given to Phrixos.
The identification of the male on the obverse has long been debated. M. F. Lenormant first suggested Phrixos sacrificing the ram with the golden fleece, but Greenwell preferred Odysseus slaying the animal Circe provided him before his descent into Hades, in part due to the figure being bearded, which indicated an older individual, which contrasts with the youthful portraits traditionally given to Phrixos.