Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIV 19-20 Jan 2021
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MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 550-450 BC. EL Stater (18mm, 16.03 g). Nude youth, holding tunny by its tail in extended right hand, riding dolphin left; below, tunny left / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 110; Greenwell 9; Boston MFA 1486 = Warren 1430; SNG BN –; BMC 76; Gulbenkian –; Jameson 2184. Lightly toned, a couple edge splits. Good VF. Well centered.
From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 92 (23 May 2016), lot 189; G. Hirsch 275 (22 September 2011), lot 3704; Lanz 68 (6 June 1994), lot 154; G. Hirsch 174 (13 May 1992), lot 237.
This rare issue from Kyzikos depicts a nude youth riding a dolphin. Greenwell is of the opinion that this youth is Taras, son of Poseidon, and the coin is another example of the Kyzikene habit of copying the well-known designs of other states' coins. In this case, the stater likely is copying the famous design of the Tarentine didrachm with the addition of the tunny. What the purpose was for emulating Taras' style is unknown, but it gives us a delightful coin with a Kyzikene flavor to a Tarentine design.
From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 92 (23 May 2016), lot 189; G. Hirsch 275 (22 September 2011), lot 3704; Lanz 68 (6 June 1994), lot 154; G. Hirsch 174 (13 May 1992), lot 237.
This rare issue from Kyzikos depicts a nude youth riding a dolphin. Greenwell is of the opinion that this youth is Taras, son of Poseidon, and the coin is another example of the Kyzikene habit of copying the well-known designs of other states' coins. In this case, the stater likely is copying the famous design of the Tarentine didrachm with the addition of the tunny. What the purpose was for emulating Taras' style is unknown, but it gives us a delightful coin with a Kyzikene flavor to a Tarentine design.