Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Keystone Auction 4 2 Sep 2021
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DYNASTS of LYCIA. Mithrapata. Circa 390-370 BC. AR Stater (26mm, 9.78 g, 2h). Forepart of lion right / Head of Mithrapata left; MITHRA-P-ATA in Lycian around, triskeles to lower right; all within incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata 1 (dies 1/1); Podalia 31–5 (A1/P1); SNG von Aulock 4236 (same dies). Deeply toned, somewhat weakly struck at high points on reverse. In NGC encapsulation 5872733-117, graded Ch VF, Strike: 3/5, Surface: 4/5. An attractive pre-Hellenistic portrait.
From the Robert W. Bartlett Bequest Sold for the Benefit of the American Numismatic Society. Ex Ponterio 33 (30 June 1988), lot 164.
The portraits on coins in the later Lycian series are among the finest of the Classical period. Among the earliest to attempt depictions of their rulers on coinage, the Lycians' first portraits in the later 5th century BC were innovative, but static, idealized forms lacking individual characterization. Over the next half-century, however, the style progressed significantly toward realism, culminating in the issues of the dynasts Mithrapata and Perikles in the early-mid 4th century BC. The coins of Mithrapata came first, depicting on their reverse the profile portrait of a man with distinctive elderly features. Through the relative chronology established in L. Mildenberg's die study, one can even see the portrait become more aged as time progressed, reflecting the realism that had been captured in these issues. Unfortunately, these astonishing developments in portraiture came to an abrupt end in Lycia when Maussollos of Caria invaded the region circa 360 BC.
From the Robert W. Bartlett Bequest Sold for the Benefit of the American Numismatic Society. Ex Ponterio 33 (30 June 1988), lot 164.
The portraits on coins in the later Lycian series are among the finest of the Classical period. Among the earliest to attempt depictions of their rulers on coinage, the Lycians' first portraits in the later 5th century BC were innovative, but static, idealized forms lacking individual characterization. Over the next half-century, however, the style progressed significantly toward realism, culminating in the issues of the dynasts Mithrapata and Perikles in the early-mid 4th century BC. The coins of Mithrapata came first, depicting on their reverse the profile portrait of a man with distinctive elderly features. Through the relative chronology established in L. Mildenberg's die study, one can even see the portrait become more aged as time progressed, reflecting the realism that had been captured in these issues. Unfortunately, these astonishing developments in portraiture came to an abrupt end in Lycia when Maussollos of Caria invaded the region circa 360 BC.