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ANA Signature Sale 3094 19-20 Aug 2021
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Ancients
LYCIAN DYNASTS. Mithrapata (ca. 390-360 BC). AR stater (24mm, 9.73 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 - 5/5. Antiphellus, ca. 380-375 BC. Forepart of crouching, roaring lion right / MI-THRA-PATA (Lycian), bare head of Mithrapata left; triskeles to lower right, all within incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata 3 (O2/R2). SNG von Aulock 4237 (this coin). Boldly struck in sound metal and beautifully toned with rainbow hues.
Ex von Aulock Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 120, 6 October 2020), lot 414
Although coin portraiture is commonly thought to be a Hellenistic invention, the first true portraits actually appeared in Lycia in the late Classical period, under the dynasts who ruled nominally as suzerains of the Persian Great King. Little is known about Mithrapata, who exercised control circa 390-370 BC, but his remarkable coin portraits, which show him on a human scale and with remarkable realism, offer a few intriguing hints. Unlike earlier Lycian dynasts, he does not wear the bashlyk, a Persian cap worn as a symbol of satrapal power, nor does he sport any godlike attributes. This could suggest Mithrapata had declared his independence of the Persian Empire, or that he favored Greek over Persian sensibilities.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-lycian-dynasts-mithrapata-ca-390-360-bc-ar-stater-24mm-973-gm-5h-ngc-choice-xfand-9733-5-5-5-5/a/3094-33021.s?type=CoinArchives3094
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD
LYCIAN DYNASTS. Mithrapata (ca. 390-360 BC). AR stater (24mm, 9.73 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 - 5/5. Antiphellus, ca. 380-375 BC. Forepart of crouching, roaring lion right / MI-THRA-PATA (Lycian), bare head of Mithrapata left; triskeles to lower right, all within incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata 3 (O2/R2). SNG von Aulock 4237 (this coin). Boldly struck in sound metal and beautifully toned with rainbow hues.
Ex von Aulock Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 120, 6 October 2020), lot 414
Although coin portraiture is commonly thought to be a Hellenistic invention, the first true portraits actually appeared in Lycia in the late Classical period, under the dynasts who ruled nominally as suzerains of the Persian Great King. Little is known about Mithrapata, who exercised control circa 390-370 BC, but his remarkable coin portraits, which show him on a human scale and with remarkable realism, offer a few intriguing hints. Unlike earlier Lycian dynasts, he does not wear the bashlyk, a Persian cap worn as a symbol of satrapal power, nor does he sport any godlike attributes. This could suggest Mithrapata had declared his independence of the Persian Empire, or that he favored Greek over Persian sensibilities.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-lycian-dynasts-mithrapata-ca-390-360-bc-ar-stater-24mm-973-gm-5h-ngc-choice-xfand-9733-5-5-5-5/a/3094-33021.s?type=CoinArchives3094
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD