Nomos AG
Auction 17 26 Oct 2018
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ILLYRIA. Dyrrhachion. Circa 340-280 BC. Stater (Silver, 21 mm, 10.95 g, 1 h). Cow standing to right, turning her head back to left to lick calf suckling to left; above, wasp flying to right. Rev. Δ Υ Ρ Double stellate pattern within double linear square border; below, club to right; all within linear circle. CNG 93, 2013, 190 (same dies). HGC 3, 34. Maier 23 var. (but also with a lizard on the reverse). Rare with this symbol. Attractively toned. Nearly extremely fine.
Representations of wasps, whether as types or symbols, only became common on coins and medals, primarily English, following the Reformation under Henry VIII. The one here, σφἡξ in Greek or the Latin vespa, is a very rare example of a wasp being used as a symbol on a Greek coin. Ancient authors pointed out how aggressive and unpleasant wasps could be; this meant that they could also be a symbol for a belligerent soldier (thus the use of a wasp as a shield device on a lekythos by the Roundabout Painter, ARV² 131 = Agora P24061). Its appearance here as a moneyer's badge probably gives us an insight into that magistrate's character.
Representations of wasps, whether as types or symbols, only became common on coins and medals, primarily English, following the Reformation under Henry VIII. The one here, σφἡξ in Greek or the Latin vespa, is a very rare example of a wasp being used as a symbol on a Greek coin. Ancient authors pointed out how aggressive and unpleasant wasps could be; this meant that they could also be a symbol for a belligerent soldier (thus the use of a wasp as a shield device on a lekythos by the Roundabout Painter, ARV² 131 = Agora P24061). Its appearance here as a moneyer's badge probably gives us an insight into that magistrate's character.