Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 134 21 Nov 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Greek Coins. Macedonia, Acanthus.
Tetradrachm, circa 525-470, AR 17.21 g. Lion l., attacking bull kneeling r. and biting into its hindquarters; in exergue, acanthus leaf. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Jameson 929 (this coin). SNG Lockett 1281 (these dies). Desneux 46f (this coin).
In exceptional condition for the issue. Perfectly struck and centred on a full
flan and with a superb old cabinet tone. Good extremely fine
Ex Leu-M&M 5 December 1965, Niggeler part I, 23 and M&M 88, 1999, 1331; Ponterio 157, 2011, 2045; Roma Numismatics 6, 2013, 512 and NAC 120, 2020, 339 sales. From the Jameson collection.
Combat between predator and prey, which could be seen as symbolic of the cycle of life, was the subject of many works of art in the ancient world. 'Predator-prey' designs on coins usually show a lion bringing down a bull or a stag, or an eagle capturing a hare or a snake. This struggle was significant on both the physical and spiritual levels, for the contest likely would cost one life and preserve another. Perhaps the most dynamic of these scenes is represented here, a lion attacking a bull. In Near Eastern mythology the lion, besides being a symbol of royalty, represented the sun, and the bull represented the moon. The victory of the bull over the lion would seem to represent the daily triumph of the rising sun over the darkness of night.
Drawing upon a long Near Eastern tradition, the Lydian King Croesus used a formal depiction of this contest on his coinage, which subsequently was adopted by the Persians. In later centuries, full representations of this contest occur on coins of Acanthus in Macedonia, Byblus in Phoenicia and Tarsus in Cilicia, and occasionally it is used at other mints, notably in Lycia and Cyprus.
In these scenes it is customary for the bull to pounce on the back of the lion. At Acanthus the bull sinks its teeth into the rump of the lion, and perhaps, with its claws, slashes at its hind legs. Occasionally the bull takes a defensive bite at the lion, or the lion appears in danger of being gored by the bull's horns. A powerful aspect of this design is the sense of circular motion created by the juxtaposition of the animals. At Tarsus and Byblus the scene is different in that the lion pounces on the bull from behind and bites its neck as if it had captured its prey after a chase. The result is a design that is less circular and less pleasing to the eye, but which probably is more realistic since it reflects a more common predatory technique.
Tetradrachm, circa 525-470, AR 17.21 g. Lion l., attacking bull kneeling r. and biting into its hindquarters; in exergue, acanthus leaf. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Jameson 929 (this coin). SNG Lockett 1281 (these dies). Desneux 46f (this coin).
In exceptional condition for the issue. Perfectly struck and centred on a full
flan and with a superb old cabinet tone. Good extremely fine
Ex Leu-M&M 5 December 1965, Niggeler part I, 23 and M&M 88, 1999, 1331; Ponterio 157, 2011, 2045; Roma Numismatics 6, 2013, 512 and NAC 120, 2020, 339 sales. From the Jameson collection.
Combat between predator and prey, which could be seen as symbolic of the cycle of life, was the subject of many works of art in the ancient world. 'Predator-prey' designs on coins usually show a lion bringing down a bull or a stag, or an eagle capturing a hare or a snake. This struggle was significant on both the physical and spiritual levels, for the contest likely would cost one life and preserve another. Perhaps the most dynamic of these scenes is represented here, a lion attacking a bull. In Near Eastern mythology the lion, besides being a symbol of royalty, represented the sun, and the bull represented the moon. The victory of the bull over the lion would seem to represent the daily triumph of the rising sun over the darkness of night.
Drawing upon a long Near Eastern tradition, the Lydian King Croesus used a formal depiction of this contest on his coinage, which subsequently was adopted by the Persians. In later centuries, full representations of this contest occur on coins of Acanthus in Macedonia, Byblus in Phoenicia and Tarsus in Cilicia, and occasionally it is used at other mints, notably in Lycia and Cyprus.
In these scenes it is customary for the bull to pounce on the back of the lion. At Acanthus the bull sinks its teeth into the rump of the lion, and perhaps, with its claws, slashes at its hind legs. Occasionally the bull takes a defensive bite at the lion, or the lion appears in danger of being gored by the bull's horns. A powerful aspect of this design is the sense of circular motion created by the juxtaposition of the animals. At Tarsus and Byblus the scene is different in that the lion pounces on the bull from behind and bites its neck as if it had captured its prey after a chase. The result is a design that is less circular and less pleasing to the eye, but which probably is more realistic since it reflects a more common predatory technique.