Nomos AG
Auction 26 21 May 2023
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THRACE. Ainos. Circa 402/1-400/399 BC. Diobol (Silver, 11.5 mm, 1.30 g, 9 h). Head of Hermes facing, wearing petasos and with his head turned very slightly to his right. Rev. ΑΙΝΙ Goat standing right, his forelegs close together; to right, barley grain; all within an incuse square. De Nanteuil 713 = May, Ainos 336 (A210/P225, this coin). An elegant and nicely toned coin of great charm. About extremely fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, and from the collections of Olga H. Knopke, Glendining & Co. 10 December 1986, 117, H. de Nanteuil, Hess-Leu 24, 16 April 1964, 104 and that of J. Bougerol, Bourgey 7 June 1909, 185.
As compared to the earlier profile heads of Hermes at Ainos, the facing heads can, when well-executed like this one, show considerably more emotional power. While this Hermes has long curly hair falling down around the sides of his head, he is nevertheless a very masculine looking god. In fact, he is rather reminiscent of the proud aristocrats one sees in 15th century Renaissance paintings from Florence! To have such a fine head on such a small coin shows how masterful the die engravers at Ainos could be.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, and from the collections of Olga H. Knopke, Glendining & Co. 10 December 1986, 117, H. de Nanteuil, Hess-Leu 24, 16 April 1964, 104 and that of J. Bougerol, Bourgey 7 June 1909, 185.
As compared to the earlier profile heads of Hermes at Ainos, the facing heads can, when well-executed like this one, show considerably more emotional power. While this Hermes has long curly hair falling down around the sides of his head, he is nevertheless a very masculine looking god. In fact, he is rather reminiscent of the proud aristocrats one sees in 15th century Renaissance paintings from Florence! To have such a fine head on such a small coin shows how masterful the die engravers at Ainos could be.