Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 116 1 Oct 2019
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Larissa
Didrachm circa 356-342, AR 12.03 g. Head of nymph Larissa facing three-quarters l., wearing ampyx, earring and necklace. Rev. ΛAPI – Σ / AIΩN Horse crouching r., preparing to roll. Herrmann pl. V, 3. Lorber-Shahar type I, series A, dies O1/R1a. Boston 896. BCD Thessaly I, 1158 (this coin).
Of the highest rarity, the finest of two specimens known, and the only one in private hands
of this interesting type with the horse crouching. Light iridescent tone, Unobtrusive
areas of porosity on reverse, otherwise about extremely fine
Ex Nomos sale 4, 2011, BCD, 1158.
The present didrachm is an extremely rare variety in the classic facing head series of Larissan silver coinage struck in the fourth century BC. It features what appear to be two unpublished dies and is notable as only the second and finest example of a Larissan didrachm depicting a horse preparing to roll on the reverse. The didrachms of Larissa usually feature a prancing horse on the reverse. The obverse here can arguably be seen as the perfection of the facing nymph type that came to dominate the coinage of Larissa in the fourth century BC. The development of this extremely popular type appears to have been influenced by the slightly earlier evolution of the celebrated facing Arethusa type of Syracuse-a type that traveled eastwards and had an impact on coinages struck as far away from Sicily as Cilicia and Samaria. This particular piece belongs to the so-called "late facing head" period and was probably struck late in the Third Sacred War (356-346 BC) to finance the Thessalian League's involvement (with Philip II of Macedon as tagos) in the struggle between the Amphictyonic League of Delphi and the Phocians. This conflict was a turning point in Greek history. In its aftermath, Philip II was able to use his influence over the Thessalian League and newly acquired votes on the Amphictyonic Council as a springboard for his conquest of Central Greece.
Didrachm circa 356-342, AR 12.03 g. Head of nymph Larissa facing three-quarters l., wearing ampyx, earring and necklace. Rev. ΛAPI – Σ / AIΩN Horse crouching r., preparing to roll. Herrmann pl. V, 3. Lorber-Shahar type I, series A, dies O1/R1a. Boston 896. BCD Thessaly I, 1158 (this coin).
Of the highest rarity, the finest of two specimens known, and the only one in private hands
of this interesting type with the horse crouching. Light iridescent tone, Unobtrusive
areas of porosity on reverse, otherwise about extremely fine
Ex Nomos sale 4, 2011, BCD, 1158.
The present didrachm is an extremely rare variety in the classic facing head series of Larissan silver coinage struck in the fourth century BC. It features what appear to be two unpublished dies and is notable as only the second and finest example of a Larissan didrachm depicting a horse preparing to roll on the reverse. The didrachms of Larissa usually feature a prancing horse on the reverse. The obverse here can arguably be seen as the perfection of the facing nymph type that came to dominate the coinage of Larissa in the fourth century BC. The development of this extremely popular type appears to have been influenced by the slightly earlier evolution of the celebrated facing Arethusa type of Syracuse-a type that traveled eastwards and had an impact on coinages struck as far away from Sicily as Cilicia and Samaria. This particular piece belongs to the so-called "late facing head" period and was probably struck late in the Third Sacred War (356-346 BC) to finance the Thessalian League's involvement (with Philip II of Macedon as tagos) in the struggle between the Amphictyonic League of Delphi and the Phocians. This conflict was a turning point in Greek history. In its aftermath, Philip II was able to use his influence over the Thessalian League and newly acquired votes on the Amphictyonic Council as a springboard for his conquest of Central Greece.