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Nomos AG
Auction 16  10 May 2018
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Lot 140

Estimate: 3000 CHF
Price realized: 3500 CHF
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Cilicia. Tarsos. Mazaios, satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. Stater (Silver, 24 mm, 10.90 g, 3 h). B'LTRZ Baaltars seated left on backless throne, his body turned to front, holding an eagle, a grain ear and a vine branch with a bunch of grapes in his right hand, and long scepter in his left; to left, TN; below throne, M. Rev. MZDY Lion attacking bull to left; below, monogram or symbol. Casabonne Series 2, Group C. SNG Levante 106. Nicely toned, very sharp, lightly toned, lustrous, and most attractive. Good extremely fine.
From a Swiss collection.

This is actually quite a common coin - many, many examples of the type exist. HOWEVER, this may well be one of the very best examples I have seen over the past 38 years. Bright, sharp, perfectly struck, it shows none of the faults, weaknesses of strike, signs of wear or problems the vast, vast majority of known examples invariably have. When you think that it was struck primarily to pay mercenaries it is yet another proof of what pride the ancients took in having beautiful coins to use in their daily lives.
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