Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 124 23 Jun 2021
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Phocis, Delphi.
Trihemiobol circa 360, AR 1.32 g. Ram's head l., beneath, dolphin l. Rev. ΔEΛ Goat's head facing between two dolphins swimming upwards and two ivy leaves downwards. All within incuse circle. De Nanteuil 883 (this coin). SNG France 1291. Weber 3193 (this obverse die). Svoronos, Delphi 28, 31. Traité III, 414 and pl. CCV, 37 (these dies). BCD Lokris-Phokis 386.
In exceptional condition for the issue and possibly the finest specimen known. Struck on
an exceptionally large flan and complete. Superb old cabinet tone and extremely fine
Ex Florange-Ciani 1925, Allotte, 883; Hess-Leu 36, 1968, 191; Leu 52, 1991, Distinguished American, 59 and NGSA 6, 2010, 61 sales. From the de Nanteuil collection.
The types of this coin reflect the dual nature of the oracular sanctuary at Delphi. Although it was most famously a center devoted to Apollo and his riddling Pythia, it was also shared by the god's brother, Dionysus, who was said to maintain the temple over the winter while Apollo was away to the north visiting the mysterious Hyperboreans. The ram's head of the obverse represents the animal sacrifice appropriate to Apollo while the goat's head on reverse is the preferred animal offering for Dionysus. In order to underline the Dionysiac quality of the animal, two ivy leaves-a well-known symbol of the god-also appear alongside the goat's head on the reverse. The prominent use of dolphins as supplementary symbols stems from the fact that they are a punning badge for the city ("dolphin" in Greek is delphis). Local Delphian tradition also held that after choosing the site of his oracular shrine at Delphi, Apollo discovered that he had no priests to serve him. In order to solve this problem, the god leaped into the Aegean Sea and turned into a dolphin. In this new aquatic form Apollo gained the attention of a group of Cretan sailors who followed him to Delphi and became the first priests of Apollo Delphinios at Delphi.
Trihemiobol circa 360, AR 1.32 g. Ram's head l., beneath, dolphin l. Rev. ΔEΛ Goat's head facing between two dolphins swimming upwards and two ivy leaves downwards. All within incuse circle. De Nanteuil 883 (this coin). SNG France 1291. Weber 3193 (this obverse die). Svoronos, Delphi 28, 31. Traité III, 414 and pl. CCV, 37 (these dies). BCD Lokris-Phokis 386.
In exceptional condition for the issue and possibly the finest specimen known. Struck on
an exceptionally large flan and complete. Superb old cabinet tone and extremely fine
Ex Florange-Ciani 1925, Allotte, 883; Hess-Leu 36, 1968, 191; Leu 52, 1991, Distinguished American, 59 and NGSA 6, 2010, 61 sales. From the de Nanteuil collection.
The types of this coin reflect the dual nature of the oracular sanctuary at Delphi. Although it was most famously a center devoted to Apollo and his riddling Pythia, it was also shared by the god's brother, Dionysus, who was said to maintain the temple over the winter while Apollo was away to the north visiting the mysterious Hyperboreans. The ram's head of the obverse represents the animal sacrifice appropriate to Apollo while the goat's head on reverse is the preferred animal offering for Dionysus. In order to underline the Dionysiac quality of the animal, two ivy leaves-a well-known symbol of the god-also appear alongside the goat's head on the reverse. The prominent use of dolphins as supplementary symbols stems from the fact that they are a punning badge for the city ("dolphin" in Greek is delphis). Local Delphian tradition also held that after choosing the site of his oracular shrine at Delphi, Apollo discovered that he had no priests to serve him. In order to solve this problem, the god leaped into the Aegean Sea and turned into a dolphin. In this new aquatic form Apollo gained the attention of a group of Cretan sailors who followed him to Delphi and became the first priests of Apollo Delphinios at Delphi.