Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction V 23 March 2013
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Kingdom of Epeiros. Pyrrhos AV Stater. Syracuse, circa 278-275 BC. Head of Artemis right, hair caught up behind, wearing beaded necklace and earring with drop pendant, quiver on left shoulder; bee behind / Nike alighting to left, wearing chiton girdled at waist, carrying trophy in left arm and holding wreath in right hand, above which crescent; BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠYPPOY around. BMC Thessaly p. 111, 5 (Bank Coll.); Jameson 1126 var (different symbols); Giesecke pl. 23, 2-3 (same). 4.27g, 15mm, 6h.
Extremely Fine. A very rare variety of an extremely rare type.
From a Belgian private collection.
The gold coins of Pyrrhos rank among the finest masterpieces of Hellenistic coinage. Struck from metal apparently collected from the Sicilian Greeks, the coins of Pyrrhos are laced with symbolism and honour the types of his ancestors and relatives - this type recalls the memory of Agathokles (Pyrrhos' one-time father in law) in both the head of Artemis on the obverse and the winged Nike and trophy reverse - both were types favoured by Agathokles. Yet in contrast to the static scene on Agathokles' tetradrachm of Nike erecting a trophy, here she sweeps forward in flight, effortlessly bearing the trophy cradled in her left arm, while in her right she hold a wreath in anticipation of Pyrrhos's victories.
The portrait of Artemis is beautiful and refined, thoroughly Syracusan in style. Artemis' hair and slightly parted lips are reminiscent of Euainetos' Arethusa heads, as the same combination of delicacy and strength is evident in her features.
Extremely Fine. A very rare variety of an extremely rare type.
From a Belgian private collection.
The gold coins of Pyrrhos rank among the finest masterpieces of Hellenistic coinage. Struck from metal apparently collected from the Sicilian Greeks, the coins of Pyrrhos are laced with symbolism and honour the types of his ancestors and relatives - this type recalls the memory of Agathokles (Pyrrhos' one-time father in law) in both the head of Artemis on the obverse and the winged Nike and trophy reverse - both were types favoured by Agathokles. Yet in contrast to the static scene on Agathokles' tetradrachm of Nike erecting a trophy, here she sweeps forward in flight, effortlessly bearing the trophy cradled in her left arm, while in her right she hold a wreath in anticipation of Pyrrhos's victories.
The portrait of Artemis is beautiful and refined, thoroughly Syracusan in style. Artemis' hair and slightly parted lips are reminiscent of Euainetos' Arethusa heads, as the same combination of delicacy and strength is evident in her features.