Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVII 28 Mar 2019
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Mysia, Lampsakos AV Stater. Circa 360 BC. Veiled head of Demeter to left, wearing a wreath of lotus flowers, pendant earring and pearl necklace / Forepart of Pegasos to right. Baldwin, Lampsakos 16; BMC 27; SNG France 1157 = Traité II, 2544. 8.40g, 18mm, 12h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, missing from virtually all public and private collections.
From the collection of an antiquarian, Bavaria c. 1960s-1990s.
Baldwin identified only three types struck at Lampsakos which bore the image of Demeter: one displays a grain-wreathed head to right (Baldwin 9), another a veiled head with a wreath of lotus (Baldwin 16), and the other a half-length cthonic figure rising from the earth holding grain (Baldwin 25); of the first two types, Baldwin was able to find only two known examples each and for Baldwin 16 (this type) the only example held in a major collection is the one in Paris (the one in London is plated).
Baldwin also commented that the frequency of Demeter's depiction on the Lampsakene 'seems to warrant the conclusion that her cult was prominent at Lampsakos' (p. 52). Although famous sanctuaries existed for Demeter in other cities in Asia Minor, there is too little evidence remaining at the site of Lampsakos which could indicate the presence of a sanctuary to her there. Besides Demeter, Dionysos also features on the staters of this city, most likely due to the city's reputation as a producer of excellent wine (indeed the exiled Themistokles was granted the revenue of Lampsakos by Artaxerxes specifically for this reason). It is plausible therefore that Demeter as the goddess of grain and fertility was also honoured and regarded as responsible for the production of the wine that contributed so much to the wealth and fame of the city. The lotus crown worn by Demeter on this coin is of particular significance since it is not a usual attribute for this goddess. It is perhaps inspired by a specific cult statue known to the ancient viewers but unfortunately now unknown.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, missing from virtually all public and private collections.
From the collection of an antiquarian, Bavaria c. 1960s-1990s.
Baldwin identified only three types struck at Lampsakos which bore the image of Demeter: one displays a grain-wreathed head to right (Baldwin 9), another a veiled head with a wreath of lotus (Baldwin 16), and the other a half-length cthonic figure rising from the earth holding grain (Baldwin 25); of the first two types, Baldwin was able to find only two known examples each and for Baldwin 16 (this type) the only example held in a major collection is the one in Paris (the one in London is plated).
Baldwin also commented that the frequency of Demeter's depiction on the Lampsakene 'seems to warrant the conclusion that her cult was prominent at Lampsakos' (p. 52). Although famous sanctuaries existed for Demeter in other cities in Asia Minor, there is too little evidence remaining at the site of Lampsakos which could indicate the presence of a sanctuary to her there. Besides Demeter, Dionysos also features on the staters of this city, most likely due to the city's reputation as a producer of excellent wine (indeed the exiled Themistokles was granted the revenue of Lampsakos by Artaxerxes specifically for this reason). It is plausible therefore that Demeter as the goddess of grain and fertility was also honoured and regarded as responsible for the production of the wine that contributed so much to the wealth and fame of the city. The lotus crown worn by Demeter on this coin is of particular significance since it is not a usual attribute for this goddess. It is perhaps inspired by a specific cult statue known to the ancient viewers but unfortunately now unknown.