Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 133 21 Nov 2022
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Greek Coins. Uncertain mint in Asia Minor.
Hemihecte (?) late 5th century BC, EL 0.97 g. Siren standing r., holding tympanon. Rev. Bucranium with filleted horns. Rosen 369. cf. NAC sale 124, 2021, 211.
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, by far the finest specimen
known. A very fascinating and interesting issue perfectly struck and
centred on a large flan. Good extremely fine
Ex Roma Numismatics sale III, 2011, 197.
The sirens figure prominently in Homer's Odyssey, where they attempt to lure Odysseus and his men to ruin on the rocky island that they inhabit through their beautiful hypnotic singing. Odysseus, aware of the danger posed by the sirens' song had his men's ears plugged so that they would not be drawn to a watery death on the rocks. However, desirous of hearing the sirens himself, Odysseus lashed himself to the mast so he could listen, yet not cause his ship to go off course. Homer never describes the appearance of the sirens, but it is clear from painted Greek pottery that as early as the seventh century BC they were conceived as birds with the heads of women. Some scholars have suggested that this peculiar form was borrowed by the Greeks from Egyptian iconography, in which the ba-bird, representing the soul, was represented as an avian with a human head. Whatever the case, by the time this extremely rare electrum piece was struck in the late fifth century BC, the female-headed bird form of the siren was firmly entrenched in Greek art. Here the siren not only sings, but accompanies herself with a small drum.
Hemihecte (?) late 5th century BC, EL 0.97 g. Siren standing r., holding tympanon. Rev. Bucranium with filleted horns. Rosen 369. cf. NAC sale 124, 2021, 211.
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, by far the finest specimen
known. A very fascinating and interesting issue perfectly struck and
centred on a large flan. Good extremely fine
Ex Roma Numismatics sale III, 2011, 197.
The sirens figure prominently in Homer's Odyssey, where they attempt to lure Odysseus and his men to ruin on the rocky island that they inhabit through their beautiful hypnotic singing. Odysseus, aware of the danger posed by the sirens' song had his men's ears plugged so that they would not be drawn to a watery death on the rocks. However, desirous of hearing the sirens himself, Odysseus lashed himself to the mast so he could listen, yet not cause his ship to go off course. Homer never describes the appearance of the sirens, but it is clear from painted Greek pottery that as early as the seventh century BC they were conceived as birds with the heads of women. Some scholars have suggested that this peculiar form was borrowed by the Greeks from Egyptian iconography, in which the ba-bird, representing the soul, was represented as an avian with a human head. Whatever the case, by the time this extremely rare electrum piece was struck in the late fifth century BC, the female-headed bird form of the siren was firmly entrenched in Greek art. Here the siren not only sings, but accompanies herself with a small drum.