Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 84 16 Jun 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Lokris, Lokroi Opuntii AR Triobol. Circa 338-316 BC. Head of Demeter to right, wearing wreath of grain ears / Ajax advancing to right, holding sword in his right hand and shield adorned with serpent with his left; kantharos below. BCD 98; BMC 9-12; Nicolet & Oeconomides series 4, 129-134; SNG Copenhagen 50. 2.73g, 15mm, 11h.
Near Extremely Fine. Rare.
From the property of an American collector;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 67, 6 February 2020, lot 128;
Ex Nomos AG, Obolos 13, 2 July 2019, lot 238.
Ajax of Lokris (or Ajax 'the Lesser'), who is depicted on the reverse of this attractive type, led a fleet of forty ships from Lokris Opuntii against Troy in the Greeks' great war on that city. At Troy's fall, he was alleged by Odysseus to have violated a sanctuary of Athena by ravishing Cassandra, who had sought refuge there. He thus brought down the wrath of Athena upon himself and his countrymen: Ajax himself was wrecked and killed in a storm as he made his way home from the war, and the rest of the Opuntians reached home only with great difficulty. Nevertheless, they annually honoured their former leader by launching a ship fitted with black sails and laden with gifts, which they then set alight, and whenever the Lokrian army drew up for battle, one place was always left open for Ajax, whose spirit they believed would stand and fight with them.
Near Extremely Fine. Rare.
From the property of an American collector;
Ex Roma Numismatics Ltd., E-Sale 67, 6 February 2020, lot 128;
Ex Nomos AG, Obolos 13, 2 July 2019, lot 238.
Ajax of Lokris (or Ajax 'the Lesser'), who is depicted on the reverse of this attractive type, led a fleet of forty ships from Lokris Opuntii against Troy in the Greeks' great war on that city. At Troy's fall, he was alleged by Odysseus to have violated a sanctuary of Athena by ravishing Cassandra, who had sought refuge there. He thus brought down the wrath of Athena upon himself and his countrymen: Ajax himself was wrecked and killed in a storm as he made his way home from the war, and the rest of the Opuntians reached home only with great difficulty. Nevertheless, they annually honoured their former leader by launching a ship fitted with black sails and laden with gifts, which they then set alight, and whenever the Lokrian army drew up for battle, one place was always left open for Ajax, whose spirit they believed would stand and fight with them.