Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 124 23 Jun 2021
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Melitaia.
Hemidrachm first half of the 4th century BC, AR 3.03 g. Laureate head of Zeus to r. Rev. Μ – Ε – Λ Forepart of bull r., its head slightly facing; all within oak wreath with acorns. Cf. Traité IV, 470 and pl. CCLXXXVIII, 7 (drachm). BCD Thessaly 1, 1198 (this coin).
Apparently unique. An issue of great importance and fascination. A portrait of fine style
and a finely engraved reverse composition. Lovely old cabinet tone and extremely fine
Ex The Numismatic Auction 2, 1983, 100 and Nomos 4, 2011, BCD, 1198 sales.
Despite its relative obscurity in the historical record, in ancient myth-history Meliteia had the privilege of being one of the first truly Greek cities ever to be founded. It was said to have been established following the Great Flood by no less a figure than Hellen, the eponymous ancestor of all Greek peoples. The tomb of Hellen was located in Meliteia and was still shown to tourists in the second century AD. The present hemidrachm is one of only two surviving unique specimens (the other coin is a full drachm) of the silver coinage struck at Meliteia in the fourth century BC. No further examples appear to exist, even in the collections of the world's great numismatic museums. It pairs the head of Zeus with the head of a bull within an oak wreath. Zeus is represented in an excellent later Classical style, with his hair cascading down the side of his head in gentle waves echoed by similar waves in his beard. His slightly lowered gaze gives the god a contemplative appearance. On the reverse, the wreath is especially notable for the careful delineation of the veins in the individual leaves and for the inclusion of rather large acorns. The treatment of the bull's head is also very sensitive, with the detailed treatment of the musculature around its muzzle and the mane on the top of the head.
Hemidrachm first half of the 4th century BC, AR 3.03 g. Laureate head of Zeus to r. Rev. Μ – Ε – Λ Forepart of bull r., its head slightly facing; all within oak wreath with acorns. Cf. Traité IV, 470 and pl. CCLXXXVIII, 7 (drachm). BCD Thessaly 1, 1198 (this coin).
Apparently unique. An issue of great importance and fascination. A portrait of fine style
and a finely engraved reverse composition. Lovely old cabinet tone and extremely fine
Ex The Numismatic Auction 2, 1983, 100 and Nomos 4, 2011, BCD, 1198 sales.
Despite its relative obscurity in the historical record, in ancient myth-history Meliteia had the privilege of being one of the first truly Greek cities ever to be founded. It was said to have been established following the Great Flood by no less a figure than Hellen, the eponymous ancestor of all Greek peoples. The tomb of Hellen was located in Meliteia and was still shown to tourists in the second century AD. The present hemidrachm is one of only two surviving unique specimens (the other coin is a full drachm) of the silver coinage struck at Meliteia in the fourth century BC. No further examples appear to exist, even in the collections of the world's great numismatic museums. It pairs the head of Zeus with the head of a bull within an oak wreath. Zeus is represented in an excellent later Classical style, with his hair cascading down the side of his head in gentle waves echoed by similar waves in his beard. His slightly lowered gaze gives the god a contemplative appearance. On the reverse, the wreath is especially notable for the careful delineation of the veins in the individual leaves and for the inclusion of rather large acorns. The treatment of the bull's head is also very sensitive, with the detailed treatment of the musculature around its muzzle and the mane on the top of the head.