Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3105 9 Jan 2023
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Ancients
CYRENAICA. Cyrene. Ca. 480-435 BC. AR tetradrachm (25mm, 17.31 gm, 1h). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. In alliance with Euhesperides. Ε-Υ-Ε-Σ (partially retrograde and off flan), silphium plant / KVPA, laureate, bearded head of Zeus Ammon right; all in prominent dotted border within incuse circle. Cf. BMC p. xlii, 60e and pl. VII, 19. SNG Copenhagen 1174 var. (no ethnic on obverse). Beautiful style and lovely surfaces with areas of bright luster. Highly attractive in hand.
Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3075 ANA (15 August 2019), lot 32038
Silphium, a rather mysterious plant that grew wild in the environs of Cyrene, was widely used as an all-purpose seasoning and medicament throughout the ancient Mediterranean. Important to the local economy, it was frequently showcased on the coins of Cyrene, including this splendid tetradrachm. It was said to be something of a wonder drug, used to treat cough, sore throat, fever, indigestion, and other maladies, in addition to its alleged use as a contraceptive (or abortifacient), or perhaps even an aphrodisiac. Its heart-shaped seed pod or fruit might be the origin of the modern shape associated with love and romance. Modern herbalists suspect it was a type of giant fennel belonging to the gens ferula. Ancient writers were convinced silphium had gone extinct due to over-harvesting and over-grazing by animals. Pliny the Elder reported that the last known stalk of silphium found in Cyrenaica was given to the Emperor Nero "as a curiosity."
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-cyrenaica-cyrene-ca-480-435-bc-ar-tetradrachm-25mm-1731-gm-1h-ngc-choice-xf-4-5-4-5-fine-style/a/3105-32059.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3105-01092023
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 15000-20000 USD
CYRENAICA. Cyrene. Ca. 480-435 BC. AR tetradrachm (25mm, 17.31 gm, 1h). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. In alliance with Euhesperides. Ε-Υ-Ε-Σ (partially retrograde and off flan), silphium plant / KVPA, laureate, bearded head of Zeus Ammon right; all in prominent dotted border within incuse circle. Cf. BMC p. xlii, 60e and pl. VII, 19. SNG Copenhagen 1174 var. (no ethnic on obverse). Beautiful style and lovely surfaces with areas of bright luster. Highly attractive in hand.
Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3075 ANA (15 August 2019), lot 32038
Silphium, a rather mysterious plant that grew wild in the environs of Cyrene, was widely used as an all-purpose seasoning and medicament throughout the ancient Mediterranean. Important to the local economy, it was frequently showcased on the coins of Cyrene, including this splendid tetradrachm. It was said to be something of a wonder drug, used to treat cough, sore throat, fever, indigestion, and other maladies, in addition to its alleged use as a contraceptive (or abortifacient), or perhaps even an aphrodisiac. Its heart-shaped seed pod or fruit might be the origin of the modern shape associated with love and romance. Modern herbalists suspect it was a type of giant fennel belonging to the gens ferula. Ancient writers were convinced silphium had gone extinct due to over-harvesting and over-grazing by animals. Pliny the Elder reported that the last known stalk of silphium found in Cyrenaica was given to the Emperor Nero "as a curiosity."
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-cyrenaica-cyrene-ca-480-435-bc-ar-tetradrachm-25mm-1731-gm-1h-ngc-choice-xf-4-5-4-5-fine-style/a/3105-32059.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3105-01092023
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 15000-20000 USD