Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
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Akarnania, Anaktorion AR Drachm. Circa 350-300 BC. Pegasos flying to right, AN monogram below / Wreathed head of Aktias three-quarters facing; AKTIAΣ to right. BMC p. 115, 7, pl. 31, 7; F. Imhoof-Blumer, 'Die Münzen Akarnanians', in NZ 10, 1878, p. 58, 8, pl. 2, 6 (Berlin SM, same dies). 2.55g, 16mm, 9h.
Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; the third recorded example.
From the VCV Collection.
The important trading polis of Anaktorion was founded by Corinth together with Korkyra in the 7th century BC and was famous for the extramural temple and sanctuary of Apollo Aktaios ('of the Shore'), which stood in its territory on the Aktian promontory. An important Athletic festival which drew contestants from all over Greece, known as the Aktias in honour of the god, had taken place from at least the Classical period, if not earlier. When in 425 BC a combined force of Akarnanians and Athenians expelled the Corinthians they adopted the cult and festival as their own.
In his pioneering study of 1878, Imhoof-Blumer noted that the legends AKTIO, AKTIOY and AKTIAΣ on some of the city's coinage cannot refer to the town of Aktion (p. 61). The feminine form of the legend AKTIAΣ appears to be a nominative case for the personification of victory in the Aktian games, as it occurs only in conjunction with a female head, usually wearing a wreath. In 216 BC the temple of Apollo Aktion became the federal sanctuary of the Akarnanians and when Augustus built Nikopolis after the naval victory of Aktion, he enlarged the sanctuary and dedicated to it 10 ships of his adversaries Marc Antony and Cleopatra.
Near Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; the third recorded example.
From the VCV Collection.
The important trading polis of Anaktorion was founded by Corinth together with Korkyra in the 7th century BC and was famous for the extramural temple and sanctuary of Apollo Aktaios ('of the Shore'), which stood in its territory on the Aktian promontory. An important Athletic festival which drew contestants from all over Greece, known as the Aktias in honour of the god, had taken place from at least the Classical period, if not earlier. When in 425 BC a combined force of Akarnanians and Athenians expelled the Corinthians they adopted the cult and festival as their own.
In his pioneering study of 1878, Imhoof-Blumer noted that the legends AKTIO, AKTIOY and AKTIAΣ on some of the city's coinage cannot refer to the town of Aktion (p. 61). The feminine form of the legend AKTIAΣ appears to be a nominative case for the personification of victory in the Aktian games, as it occurs only in conjunction with a female head, usually wearing a wreath. In 216 BC the temple of Apollo Aktion became the federal sanctuary of the Akarnanians and when Augustus built Nikopolis after the naval victory of Aktion, he enlarged the sanctuary and dedicated to it 10 ships of his adversaries Marc Antony and Cleopatra.