Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 106 4-5 Sep 2018
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Gaul, Massalia. Silver Obol (0.60 g), ca. 100-50 BC. Bare head of Apollo left. Reverse: M-A, wheel of four spokes. Depeyrot 31; SNG Copenhagen 723-7. Boldly struck in high relief. Beautiful old cabinet tone. NGC grade Ch AU; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5. Estimate Value $250 - 300
Ancient Massalia was founded on the Gallic Mediterranean coast by Phokaians from Ionia ca. 600 BC. The city quickly grew very wealthy due to its control of the hinterland trade with the many Celtic peoples inhabiting the valley of the Rhône and its tributaries as well as regions further west. During the latter decades of the second century BC, native unrest threatened the stability of the region and the safety of the Massiliotes, which provided the impetus for Roman intervention in the region, leading to the conquest of the Ligurian tribes in 123 BC followed two years later by Roman subjugation of the Allobroges and the Arverni.
Ancient Massalia was founded on the Gallic Mediterranean coast by Phokaians from Ionia ca. 600 BC. The city quickly grew very wealthy due to its control of the hinterland trade with the many Celtic peoples inhabiting the valley of the Rhône and its tributaries as well as regions further west. During the latter decades of the second century BC, native unrest threatened the stability of the region and the safety of the Massiliotes, which provided the impetus for Roman intervention in the region, leading to the conquest of the Ligurian tribes in 123 BC followed two years later by Roman subjugation of the Allobroges and the Arverni.