Nomos AG
Auction 26 21 May 2023
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SICILY. Naxos. Circa 415-403 BC. Litra (Silver, 11.5 mm, 0.77 g, 3 h). ΝΑΞΙΩΝ Head of youthful Dionysos to left, wearing ivy wreath. Rev. Vine branch with bunch of grapes, leaves and tendrils. Anson III, pl. XIII, 498 (this coin). Buceti 28. Cahn 129.2 (V79/R106, this coin). Jameson 684 (this coin). SNG Lloyd 1161. Clear, well-struck, well-centered and with a dark patina as found. Minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, and from the collections of Leo Mildenberg, W. Niggeler (not in sale), R. Jameson and G. de Ciccio, Sambon-Canessa 19 December 1907, 248 284.
Why did Naxos change its standard obverse of the head of a mature, bearded, Dionysos, to one with his youthful beardless head? Does this somehow provide an allusion to either the city's partnership with Athens, or its resistance to first Syracuse and then the Carthaginians, prior to the destruction of the city by Syracuse in 403?
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, and from the collections of Leo Mildenberg, W. Niggeler (not in sale), R. Jameson and G. de Ciccio, Sambon-Canessa 19 December 1907, 248 284.
Why did Naxos change its standard obverse of the head of a mature, bearded, Dionysos, to one with his youthful beardless head? Does this somehow provide an allusion to either the city's partnership with Athens, or its resistance to first Syracuse and then the Carthaginians, prior to the destruction of the city by Syracuse in 403?