Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature Sale 3076 5-6 & 9 Sep 2019
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Ancients
CRETE. Gortyna. Ca. 350-270 BC. AR stater (24mm, 11.51 gm, 3h). NGC VF 4/5 - 4/5. Europa, nude to the waist, seated facing in tree, raising her veil with right hand, left arm holding eagle with spread wings in her lap / Bull trotting to left, head reverted. BMC Crete 27, plate 10 coin 7.
This attractive type depicts the tale of Europa and the bull. Europa, a beautiful Phoenician maiden, was spotted by Zeus while she was picking flowers. Zeus became enamored with her, transformed himself into a tame white bull, and approached her. Enchanted, she caressed the bull and climbed onto his back. Seeing his chance, Zeus ran to the sea and swam, with her on his back, to the island of Crete, where (after the usual round of divine lovemaking), he made her queen. The imagery of Europa naturally features prominently on the coinage of Crete, but there are some puzzling aspects of this coin type. For example, the eagle in Europa's lap, and the tree in which she appears to be sitting, do not feature in the traditional tale.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-crete-gortyna-ca-350-270-bc-ar-stater-24mm-1151-gm-3h-ngc-vf-4-5-4-5/a/3076-30106.s?type=CoinArchives3076
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-1500 USD
CRETE. Gortyna. Ca. 350-270 BC. AR stater (24mm, 11.51 gm, 3h). NGC VF 4/5 - 4/5. Europa, nude to the waist, seated facing in tree, raising her veil with right hand, left arm holding eagle with spread wings in her lap / Bull trotting to left, head reverted. BMC Crete 27, plate 10 coin 7.
This attractive type depicts the tale of Europa and the bull. Europa, a beautiful Phoenician maiden, was spotted by Zeus while she was picking flowers. Zeus became enamored with her, transformed himself into a tame white bull, and approached her. Enchanted, she caressed the bull and climbed onto his back. Seeing his chance, Zeus ran to the sea and swam, with her on his back, to the island of Crete, where (after the usual round of divine lovemaking), he made her queen. The imagery of Europa naturally features prominently on the coinage of Crete, but there are some puzzling aspects of this coin type. For example, the eagle in Europa's lap, and the tree in which she appears to be sitting, do not feature in the traditional tale.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-crete-gortyna-ca-350-270-bc-ar-stater-24mm-1151-gm-3h-ngc-vf-4-5-4-5/a/3076-30106.s?type=CoinArchives3076
HID02906262019
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 1000-1500 USD