Phocis, Delphi.
Stater 336 – 335, AR 12.28 g. Veiled head of Demeter l., wearing a wreath with ears of wheat and reeds. Rev. ΑΜΦΙ – KTIO Apollo Pythios, laureate and wearing chiton, seated l. on omphalos draped with himation; his r. elbow rests on lyre and his r. hand supports his chin; a long laurel branch rests diagonally across him. In l. field, tripod and, in exergue, ΝΩΝ. BMC 22. Svoronos, Delphi 32. P. Kinns, 'The Amphictionic Coinage Reconsidered', NC 1983, 11-13. Gulbenkian 487. Boston 977. BCD Lokris-Phokis 387 (this obverse die).
Very rare. A magnificent portrait of excellent style struck on very fresh
metal. Wonderful iridescent tone, minor marks on obverse,
otherwise about extremely fine
Ex Lanz 46, Munich, 1988, 234 (illustrated on the front and back covers of the catalogue) and New York XXVII, 2012, Prospero 357 sales.
This silver stater is a magnificent example of the coinage produced by the Amphictyonic League of Delphi from older Delphic coinage in 336-335 BC. The decision to undertake the recoining at this time may have been influenced by the death of Philip II of Macedon in 336 and the accession of Alexander the Great. Philip had exerted great influence over the League through his defense of Delphi during the Third Sacred War (356-346 BC), but there seems to have been little immediate desire to accept his heir. Thus, the Amphictyonic recoinage may have been undertaken out of concern for a potential conflict. The Amphictyonic coinage is remarkable not only for its beautiful design and skillful execution, but also because the temple accounts related to its production actually survive in a stone inscription from Delphi. These accounts combined with die studies of the known specimens provide precious information about the quantities of coins that could be produced from ancient dies. The obverse type features the veiled head of Demeter and is thought to refer to the sanctuary of that goddess at Anthelia which was also administered by the Delphic Amphictyony. The reverse type depicts Apollo of Delphi in his role as Apollo Pythios, seated on the omphalos, a sacred stone believed by the Greeks to mark the center of the world.