Nomos AG
Auction 26 21 May 2023
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SICILY. Abakainon. Circa 420-400 BC. Litra (Silver, 11 mm, 0.63 g, 8 h). Facing head of Apollo, with hair in relatively short locks, turned very slightly to the left; border of dots. Rev. ΑΒΑ Boar standing left; before him to left, piglet to left. Bertini 20. Buceti 27. Rizzo pl. LIX, 4 (same dies). Rare and most unusual, with an exceptional obverse head of fine Classical style. Attractively toned. Some minor marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Münzen und Medaillen FPL 505, November-December 1987, 26.
The heads on the later "facing head" litrai from Abakainon have been identified as being from two groups: the heads on the first, as this and the piece in the following lot, are thought to be of Apollo (though there is no visible laurel wreath), and appear to be very uncommon; while those on the second, and more common, group (see, below, lot 89), have wildly flowing hair, seemingly streaming backwards, and are thought to be those of a nymph. In fact, it is wildly unlikely that the two facing head types are not simply varying representations of the same divine figure: both should be Apollo. In fact, the earlier fractions from Abakainon have a bearded male head in profile on the litrai and a very clearly female head, her hair rolled up into a sphendone, also in profile, on the hemilitrai. While it would be conclusive for Apollo if the Abakainonese facing heads wore a laurel wreath, he does not wear one on the coinage of Rhodes; thus, the lack of one here is of no importance. And that is why we have identified our heads as those of Apollo, but wearing three differing hairstyles.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Münzen und Medaillen FPL 505, November-December 1987, 26.
The heads on the later "facing head" litrai from Abakainon have been identified as being from two groups: the heads on the first, as this and the piece in the following lot, are thought to be of Apollo (though there is no visible laurel wreath), and appear to be very uncommon; while those on the second, and more common, group (see, below, lot 89), have wildly flowing hair, seemingly streaming backwards, and are thought to be those of a nymph. In fact, it is wildly unlikely that the two facing head types are not simply varying representations of the same divine figure: both should be Apollo. In fact, the earlier fractions from Abakainon have a bearded male head in profile on the litrai and a very clearly female head, her hair rolled up into a sphendone, also in profile, on the hemilitrai. While it would be conclusive for Apollo if the Abakainonese facing heads wore a laurel wreath, he does not wear one on the coinage of Rhodes; thus, the lack of one here is of no importance. And that is why we have identified our heads as those of Apollo, but wearing three differing hairstyles.