Naxos Drachm circa 461-430, AR 4.26 g. Bearded and ivy-wreathed head of Dionysus r. Rev. N – A – XI – ON Naked, bearded Silenus, with pointed ears, ruffled hair and long tail, facing squatting, the r. leg folded to the side and l. raised. He turns l. towards cantharus in his raised r. hand, while the l. rests on his l. knee, the tail showing behind his l. leg. SNG ANS 518-519 (these dies). Jameson 676 (these dies). SNG Copenhagen 486 (these dies). Cahn, Naxos 56.12 (this coin).
Very rare and undoubtedly among the finest specimens known. A portrait of excellent
Classical style struck in high relief and with a lovely old cabinet tone.
Usual die-break on obverse, otherwise extremely fine
Ex Ars Classica XIII, 1928, Bloch, 239; Vinchon 29 April 1974, Peyrefitte, 23; Sotheby's 21 June 1990, Hunt part II, 240; Leu 81, 2001, 90 and Nomos 3, 2011, 21 sales. From the Spina collection.
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