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Auction 26  21 May 2023
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Lot 34

Estimate: 650 CHF
Price realized: 6000 CHF
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CALABRIA. Tarentum. Circa 325-280 BC. Litra (Silver, 11 mm, 0.89 g, 3 h). Scallop shell. Rev. Dolphin leaping to right; above, monogram of NE; below, a very curious figure, squatting and facing front: he appears to be a satyr holding an uncertain object in his raised right hand and has what appears to be a giant phallus coming out from his abdomen to his left! . Unpublished, for the general type (but without this extraordinary reverse figure) cf. HN III 979 and Vlasto 1473-1547; but for another example from the same dies, see LHS 102, 2008, 11. Extremely rare, the second example known. An amusing and exceptional coin, sharply struck on good metal and lightly toned. Reverse very slightly off-center, otherwise, extremely fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 8, 3 April 1995, 37 (but the reverse symbol identified as Bes).

This extraordinary coin bears a reverse symbol - a squatting satyr or silen - that is derived directly from ancient Greek theatre (specifically, the roisterous Satyr Plays) and, undoubtedly, also from ancient painting, especially that found on pottery. Unlike today, when figures like this tend to be frowned upon, in ancient times representations of satyrs waving "things" about were thought to be humorous and bringers of good luck!!
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