Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
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ISLANDS OFF CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 408/7-404 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 15.07 g, 12 h). Head of Helios facing, turned slightly to the right. Rev. ΡΟΔΙΟΝ Rose; to right, eagle, with closed wings, standing to right on rock. Ashton 1. Bérend 11-12 var (same obverse die). Very rare. Toned and with an unusually expressive, even emotional, head of Helios. Extremely fine.
From an American collection, ex Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 410 and from the collection of M. F. Price, Stack's, 3 December 1996, 66.
Ashton has identified this issue as being the first to be struck by the new city of Rhodes, shortly after its foundation. This goes against the theory of D. Bérend who viewed the rare issues, of the weight of a triple siglos, as being the earliest Rhodian coins. At present both scholars have their partisans, and while Ashton's dating is used here Bérend's view may prove to be more correct.
From an American collection, ex Leu 86, 5 May 2003, 410 and from the collection of M. F. Price, Stack's, 3 December 1996, 66.
Ashton has identified this issue as being the first to be struck by the new city of Rhodes, shortly after its foundation. This goes against the theory of D. Bérend who viewed the rare issues, of the weight of a triple siglos, as being the earliest Rhodian coins. At present both scholars have their partisans, and while Ashton's dating is used here Bérend's view may prove to be more correct.