Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 133 21 Nov 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Greek Coins. Macedonia, Amphipolis.
Tetradrachm circa 355-354, AR 14.4 g. Laureate head of Apollo with drapery around neck facing slightly r. Rev. AM-ΦIΠ-OΛI-TΩN within raised linear square enclosing race torch; to inner l., bunch of grapes and club to inner r.; the whole within shallow incuse square. K. Regling, Phigela, Klazomenai, Amphipolis, in ZfN 33, 1922, p. 57, 15 (this obverse die). SNG Lockett 1300 (this obverse die). Lorber, Amphipolis, type P, 50a (this coin illustrated).
Very rare and a pleasant specimen of this prestigious issue. A very
interesting and appealing portrait struck in high relief. Superb
old cabinet tone and about extremely fine / good very fine
Ex Lanz 46, 1988, 183 and New York XXVI, 2102, Prospero 273 sales.
The facing head of the Pythian Apollo and a lit race torch within a raised square inscribed with an ethnic are characteristic of Amphipolitan tetradrachms, one of the most admired series of all Greek coins. Apollo was the patron deity of Amphipolis, and it would seem that the race torch alludes to games, perhaps those held there in honour of its oecist, or perhaps in honour of Apollo, though the evidence for the latter games exists only for a later period. Amphipolis (literally "the Surrounded City") was so named for its strategic location on the lower Strymon River where it was defended on three sides by the river and on the fourth by Mount Pangaeus. The city was located at a junction of nine important roads into Thrace and Macedonia, including a major river crossing, and had been known originally as Ennea Hodoi ("Nine Ways"). This Thracian settlement gained notoriety in 480 BC, when the Persian Great King Xerxes I reportedly sacrificed nine boys and nine girls at the site to gain divine protection for his campaign against the Greeks. As Athenian economic interests in Thrace grew over the course of the fifth century BC, the importance of Ennea Hodoi became obvious. At last, in 437 BC, the site was claimed by Athenian colonists under the leadership of the oecist Hagnon and refounded as Amphipolis. The city prospered from the exploitation of the gold and silver mines of Mount Pangaeus and trade with the peoples of the Thracian and Macedonian interior. The economic and strategic importance of the city made it a frequent bone of contention between states with interests in Thrace. In 424 BC, early in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), Amphipolis was captured by the celebrated Spartan general Brasidas despite the presence of an Athenian naval squadron led by Thucydides, the man who later became the historian of the great Greek conflict. In 421 BC, Athenians mounted a counterattack under the leadership of the demagogue Kleon. This was defeated, but both Brasidas and Kleon were killed in the fighting. The terms of the temporary Peace of Nikias made later the same year required the return of Amphipolis to Athens, but the subsequent events of the war prevented the Athenians from reclaiming the city. For much of the fourth century BC, the Amphipolitans were largely consumed with forming alliances with regional powers like the Chalkidian League and the Macedonian kings to prevent their city from returning to Athenian domination. Even the great Athenian generals of the age, Iphikrates and Timotheos were unable to retake the city despite frequent attempts. At last, in 357 BC, the Macedonian king Philip II besieged and captured Amphipolis out of concern that the independent city would constantly draw Athenian military attention and as a steppingstone to his conquest of Thrace. The city remained an important centre of the Macedonian kingdom until 167 BC, when the monarchy was abolished and Amphipolis was established as the administrative capital of an autonomous district (meris) under Roman control.
Tetradrachm circa 355-354, AR 14.4 g. Laureate head of Apollo with drapery around neck facing slightly r. Rev. AM-ΦIΠ-OΛI-TΩN within raised linear square enclosing race torch; to inner l., bunch of grapes and club to inner r.; the whole within shallow incuse square. K. Regling, Phigela, Klazomenai, Amphipolis, in ZfN 33, 1922, p. 57, 15 (this obverse die). SNG Lockett 1300 (this obverse die). Lorber, Amphipolis, type P, 50a (this coin illustrated).
Very rare and a pleasant specimen of this prestigious issue. A very
interesting and appealing portrait struck in high relief. Superb
old cabinet tone and about extremely fine / good very fine
Ex Lanz 46, 1988, 183 and New York XXVI, 2102, Prospero 273 sales.
The facing head of the Pythian Apollo and a lit race torch within a raised square inscribed with an ethnic are characteristic of Amphipolitan tetradrachms, one of the most admired series of all Greek coins. Apollo was the patron deity of Amphipolis, and it would seem that the race torch alludes to games, perhaps those held there in honour of its oecist, or perhaps in honour of Apollo, though the evidence for the latter games exists only for a later period. Amphipolis (literally "the Surrounded City") was so named for its strategic location on the lower Strymon River where it was defended on three sides by the river and on the fourth by Mount Pangaeus. The city was located at a junction of nine important roads into Thrace and Macedonia, including a major river crossing, and had been known originally as Ennea Hodoi ("Nine Ways"). This Thracian settlement gained notoriety in 480 BC, when the Persian Great King Xerxes I reportedly sacrificed nine boys and nine girls at the site to gain divine protection for his campaign against the Greeks. As Athenian economic interests in Thrace grew over the course of the fifth century BC, the importance of Ennea Hodoi became obvious. At last, in 437 BC, the site was claimed by Athenian colonists under the leadership of the oecist Hagnon and refounded as Amphipolis. The city prospered from the exploitation of the gold and silver mines of Mount Pangaeus and trade with the peoples of the Thracian and Macedonian interior. The economic and strategic importance of the city made it a frequent bone of contention between states with interests in Thrace. In 424 BC, early in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), Amphipolis was captured by the celebrated Spartan general Brasidas despite the presence of an Athenian naval squadron led by Thucydides, the man who later became the historian of the great Greek conflict. In 421 BC, Athenians mounted a counterattack under the leadership of the demagogue Kleon. This was defeated, but both Brasidas and Kleon were killed in the fighting. The terms of the temporary Peace of Nikias made later the same year required the return of Amphipolis to Athens, but the subsequent events of the war prevented the Athenians from reclaiming the city. For much of the fourth century BC, the Amphipolitans were largely consumed with forming alliances with regional powers like the Chalkidian League and the Macedonian kings to prevent their city from returning to Athenian domination. Even the great Athenian generals of the age, Iphikrates and Timotheos were unable to retake the city despite frequent attempts. At last, in 357 BC, the Macedonian king Philip II besieged and captured Amphipolis out of concern that the independent city would constantly draw Athenian military attention and as a steppingstone to his conquest of Thrace. The city remained an important centre of the Macedonian kingdom until 167 BC, when the monarchy was abolished and Amphipolis was established as the administrative capital of an autonomous district (meris) under Roman control.