The New York Sale
Auction 30 9 January 2013
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ANCIENT COINS. GREEK. Thraco-Macedonian Region, The Orreskioi (?) (c.500-450 B.C.), Electrum Stater, 16.32g. A centaur rushes to the right, carrying a nymph, who wears a long chiton and raises her right arm in protest. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square (cf BMC 42, pl. II, 3 = B.V. Head, 'Metrological Notes on the Ancient Electrum Coins struck between the Lelantian Wars and the Accession of Darius', NC 1875, pp. 283, pl. X, 11 = Head, A Guide to the Principal Coins of the Greeks, Period I. B, 2, pl. 3; Svoronos -; Traité -). Several flan-cracks and light surface fissures, beautiful archaic style and composition, good very fine. A coin of the greatest numismatic importance and rarity, apparently unrecorded.
This coin appears to be lacking a direct comparison in the published numismatic literature. The closest parallel is an electrum stater in the British Museum collection, of similar type, but of a wholly different style and execution. The above coin has been compared with that stater, identified as Orreskioi (?). The obverse of the British Museum's coin is inferior in terms of both style and execution, displaying a distinct lack of detail when compared with the above coin. The fabric and production of the Museum's example is also very different, suggesting it is somewhat earlier; the reverse of the above coin displays a much shallower incuse square, which has been neatly divided into four parts corresponding to other Thraco-Macedonian issues of the early 5th Century B.C.
Alongside other electrum issues from the Thraco-Macedonian region, the example above compares favourably. It displays all the defining characteristics, having flan cracks which follow a jagged pattern and possess a roughly textured inner surface. The coin above, under magnification, has a number of small fissures to its surface and on its edge, which can also be seen on other electrum coins of this period, as can the way in which the obverse field rises slightly as it approaches the edge.
The mythical centaurs inhabited the woods and mountains of Elis, Arcadia and Thessaly, and reports of them date as far back as Homeric writings. They were characterized by their wild and lustful desires, as can be seen on the obverse of the above coin. This very important electrum issue depicts a superb rendering of the centaur, full of animation and energy.
Estimate: $180,000
This coin appears to be lacking a direct comparison in the published numismatic literature. The closest parallel is an electrum stater in the British Museum collection, of similar type, but of a wholly different style and execution. The above coin has been compared with that stater, identified as Orreskioi (?). The obverse of the British Museum's coin is inferior in terms of both style and execution, displaying a distinct lack of detail when compared with the above coin. The fabric and production of the Museum's example is also very different, suggesting it is somewhat earlier; the reverse of the above coin displays a much shallower incuse square, which has been neatly divided into four parts corresponding to other Thraco-Macedonian issues of the early 5th Century B.C.
Alongside other electrum issues from the Thraco-Macedonian region, the example above compares favourably. It displays all the defining characteristics, having flan cracks which follow a jagged pattern and possess a roughly textured inner surface. The coin above, under magnification, has a number of small fissures to its surface and on its edge, which can also be seen on other electrum coins of this period, as can the way in which the obverse field rises slightly as it approaches the edge.
The mythical centaurs inhabited the woods and mountains of Elis, Arcadia and Thessaly, and reports of them date as far back as Homeric writings. They were characterized by their wild and lustful desires, as can be seen on the obverse of the above coin. This very important electrum issue depicts a superb rendering of the centaur, full of animation and energy.
Estimate: $180,000