Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 133 21 Nov 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Greek Coins. Pharsalus.
Drachm, signed by the engraver Telephantos late V-mid IV century BC, AR 6.01 g. Head of Athena r., wearing crested Attic helmet with raised cheek pieces; behind neck, ΤΗ and [ΙΠ]. Rev. Φ – Α / Ρ – Σ partially retrograde Thessalian horseman prancing r., with petasus, chlamys and chiton, and holding a lagobolon over his r. shoulder; below, ΤΗ. Lavva 99d, O49/R57 (this coin). BCD Thessaly 1, 1285 (this coin).
In exceptional condition for the issue. A portrait of masterly style and a finely detailed
reverse composition. Attractive old cabinet tone, minor marks on obverse,
otherwise extremely fine
Ex Hamburger 98, 1933, 549 and Nomos 4, 2011, BCD, 1285 sales.
This spectacularly beautiful drachm was struck in the late fifth to mid fourth century BC, possibly in the context of growing conflicts between Pharsalus and Pherae for control of the Thessalian League. In the aftermath of the Persian invasion of Greece (480-479 BC), Larissa was punished for the medizing of its leading citizens and Pharsalus became the dominant city of the league and is said to have directly ruled a number of lesser Thessalian cities and villages. Pharsalus and the tyrants that ruled it were frequently in competition with the city and tyrants of Pherae, who wished to lead the Thessalian League themselves. The Pharsalian tyrants successfully managed to resist Pheraean attempts to supplant them until 375/4 BC, when Polydamas, the tyrant of Pharsalus, was abandoned by his allies during a conflict with Jason, the tyrant of Pherae. Left with little other choice, Polydamas accepted Jason and Pherae as the new leaders of the Thessalian League. However, when Jason was murdered in 370 BC, the fear of a resurgent Pharsalus was so great that Polydamas and the other important men of Pharsalus were executed by the Pheraeans. Pharsalus (and Thessaly in general) was only freed from Pheraean domination after the defeat of a combined Pheraean and Phocaean army by Philip II of Macedon at the Battle of Crocus Field in 353/2 BC. The present coin features the head of Athena wearing an extremely ornate Attic helmet on the obverse and a representation of a mounted Thessalian hunter on the reverse. The lagobolon that the hunter carries suggests that he is hunting rabbits or other small game. His mounted aspect and wide-brimmed petasus clearly identify him as a Thessalian. The engravers were justifiably proud of their work and have signed both the obverse and reverse dies. The signing of the dies combined with details of the helmet decorations on other Pharsalian issues has led to speculation that the skilled engravers of the drachm series may have come from Sicily or Magna Graecia.
Drachm, signed by the engraver Telephantos late V-mid IV century BC, AR 6.01 g. Head of Athena r., wearing crested Attic helmet with raised cheek pieces; behind neck, ΤΗ and [ΙΠ]. Rev. Φ – Α / Ρ – Σ partially retrograde Thessalian horseman prancing r., with petasus, chlamys and chiton, and holding a lagobolon over his r. shoulder; below, ΤΗ. Lavva 99d, O49/R57 (this coin). BCD Thessaly 1, 1285 (this coin).
In exceptional condition for the issue. A portrait of masterly style and a finely detailed
reverse composition. Attractive old cabinet tone, minor marks on obverse,
otherwise extremely fine
Ex Hamburger 98, 1933, 549 and Nomos 4, 2011, BCD, 1285 sales.
This spectacularly beautiful drachm was struck in the late fifth to mid fourth century BC, possibly in the context of growing conflicts between Pharsalus and Pherae for control of the Thessalian League. In the aftermath of the Persian invasion of Greece (480-479 BC), Larissa was punished for the medizing of its leading citizens and Pharsalus became the dominant city of the league and is said to have directly ruled a number of lesser Thessalian cities and villages. Pharsalus and the tyrants that ruled it were frequently in competition with the city and tyrants of Pherae, who wished to lead the Thessalian League themselves. The Pharsalian tyrants successfully managed to resist Pheraean attempts to supplant them until 375/4 BC, when Polydamas, the tyrant of Pharsalus, was abandoned by his allies during a conflict with Jason, the tyrant of Pherae. Left with little other choice, Polydamas accepted Jason and Pherae as the new leaders of the Thessalian League. However, when Jason was murdered in 370 BC, the fear of a resurgent Pharsalus was so great that Polydamas and the other important men of Pharsalus were executed by the Pheraeans. Pharsalus (and Thessaly in general) was only freed from Pheraean domination after the defeat of a combined Pheraean and Phocaean army by Philip II of Macedon at the Battle of Crocus Field in 353/2 BC. The present coin features the head of Athena wearing an extremely ornate Attic helmet on the obverse and a representation of a mounted Thessalian hunter on the reverse. The lagobolon that the hunter carries suggests that he is hunting rabbits or other small game. His mounted aspect and wide-brimmed petasus clearly identify him as a Thessalian. The engravers were justifiably proud of their work and have signed both the obverse and reverse dies. The signing of the dies combined with details of the helmet decorations on other Pharsalian issues has led to speculation that the skilled engravers of the drachm series may have come from Sicily or Magna Graecia.