Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 108 16 May 2018
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SIKYONIA, Sikyon. Circa 225-215 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.90 g, 11h). In the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, ΞE above youth standing left, holding tainia overhead; TM monogram below throne. Noe, Sicyon – (A94/P– [unlisted issue with $E]); Price 725 var. (no $E on rev.); HGC 5, 254; CNG 93, lot 319 (same dies). Good VF, lightly toned, minor marks. Well centered. Extremely rare, only three in CoinArchives, none in Pella.
From the Colin E. Pitchfork Collection, purchased from Jonathan Kern, 15 January 2002.
According to A. Milavic ("Pankration and Greek Coins," The Celator 13.12 [December 1999], and "Pankration and Greek Coins," The International Journal of the History of Sport 18.2 [2001], pp. 179–92), the youth on the reverse is most likely Sostratos, the famous pankratiast of Sikyon who won three Olympic victories, in 364, 360, and 356 BC, as well as 12 other victories in the Isthmian and Nemean Games. Sostratos was known as the 'fingerman' for bending and breaking the fingers of his opponents in this brutal athletic contest.
From the Colin E. Pitchfork Collection, purchased from Jonathan Kern, 15 January 2002.
According to A. Milavic ("Pankration and Greek Coins," The Celator 13.12 [December 1999], and "Pankration and Greek Coins," The International Journal of the History of Sport 18.2 [2001], pp. 179–92), the youth on the reverse is most likely Sostratos, the famous pankratiast of Sikyon who won three Olympic victories, in 364, 360, and 356 BC, as well as 12 other victories in the Isthmian and Nemean Games. Sostratos was known as the 'fingerman' for bending and breaking the fingers of his opponents in this brutal athletic contest.