Nomos AG
Auction 26 21 May 2023
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SICILY. Enna. Circa 450-440 BC. Litra (Silver, 15 mm, 0.71 g, 8 h). Demeter, draped, standing right in quadriga drawn by four horses walking to the right, holding the reins in her left hand and grain ears in her right. Rev. ΗΕΝ-ΝΑΙ-ΟΝ Demeter (or Persephone?) standing facing, her head turned to left, extending her left hand to right and holding a burning torch in her extended right; at her feet to left, altar. Buceti 1. Rizzo pl. LIX, 14. SNG Lloyd 931. Very rare. Well-centered, clear and with a dark greyish-purple patina as found. Good very fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 4, 27 February 1991, 40.
The female figures on both sides of this coin are usually identified as Demeter, but are they? The chariot driver, with her long hair and holding grain ears is surely Demeter, but the figure on the reverse, wearing the same clothing, but with short hair and holding a torch, could she not be Persephone lighting her way through the underworld?
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions, ex Numismatica Ars Classica 4, 27 February 1991, 40.
The female figures on both sides of this coin are usually identified as Demeter, but are they? The chariot driver, with her long hair and holding grain ears is surely Demeter, but the figure on the reverse, wearing the same clothing, but with short hair and holding a torch, could she not be Persephone lighting her way through the underworld?