CYCLADES. Naxos. 4th century B.C. Æ. 1.55 gm. 11 mm. Bearded head of Dionysos left, wearing ivy wreath / Kantharos with ivy leaf hanging from each handle, grape bunch above; N-A-Ξ. HGC 6, 641. Joy 543. Nicolet-Pierre, Naxos II pl. I, 1-24. Fine; glossy surfaces.

Ex Spartan 17 (10 October 2000) lot 62.

Naxos was the largest of the Cycladic Islands and the center of Cycladic culture. Shortly before the Greco-Persian Wars, Herodotos describes Naxos as the most prosperous of all Greek islands (Herod. 5.28, 5.31). Its wine was famous for its superb quality. The cult of Dionysos featured prominently on the island and its coinage, with the temple sanctuary of Dionysos on Naxos serving as his principal cult center.