Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 90 23 May 2012
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THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 370-360 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 6.02 g, 11h). Head of the nymph Larissa left / Bridled horse prancing right. Lorber, Thessalian 100 var. (legend arrangement); BCD Thessaly II 377.2 (same dies). Good VF, surfaces slightly rough, hairline flan crack, die break on obverse, die shift on reverse. Excellent die workmanship. Very rare.
From the BCD Collection.
This style of this issue is exceptional among the various issues of profile head types at Larissa. Herrmann first noted stylistic parallels in the head of the nymph to the rendition of Arethusa on the famous Euainetos dekadrachms of Syracuse. Later numismatists have concurred, and the traditional dating of the issue has corresponded to the dekadrachm emissions. More recent hoard analyses, however, have necessitated a downward revision of the dating, placing the Larissa issue some decades after the time of Euainetos. Nonetheless, the style of this issue is of the highest Classical form, and is comparable to the beautiful heads of Persephone on the contemporary staters of Lokris Opuntii. The rarity of this issue suggests that it was a short emission struck for a specific purpose, and the quality of the engraving implies that the occasion must have been of some importance.
From the BCD Collection.
This style of this issue is exceptional among the various issues of profile head types at Larissa. Herrmann first noted stylistic parallels in the head of the nymph to the rendition of Arethusa on the famous Euainetos dekadrachms of Syracuse. Later numismatists have concurred, and the traditional dating of the issue has corresponded to the dekadrachm emissions. More recent hoard analyses, however, have necessitated a downward revision of the dating, placing the Larissa issue some decades after the time of Euainetos. Nonetheless, the style of this issue is of the highest Classical form, and is comparable to the beautiful heads of Persephone on the contemporary staters of Lokris Opuntii. The rarity of this issue suggests that it was a short emission struck for a specific purpose, and the quality of the engraving implies that the occasion must have been of some importance.