Nomos AG
Auction 27 22 May 2023
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
SICILY. Akragas. Circa 420-415 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 28 mm, 16.94 g, 4 h). ΑΚΡΑΓ - ΑΝΤΙΝ - Ο - Ν Eagle with spread wings to left, perched on dead hare lying on a rock and tearing at it with its beak; on rock, scallop shell and murex. Rev. Crab; to left, cockle shell; to right, sea snail; below, a large fish with open jaws swimming to left (probably a Mero or Grouper, Epinephelus marginatus - formerly guaza - see F.E. Zeuner, Fish on Ancient Coins, NCirc LXXI, 1963, pp. 142-143, rather than the Wreckfish or Stone Bass Polyprion americanus - the previous name, polyprium cernium is now obsolete, as which it is usually identified). Buceti 70, Gulbenkian 163-164, Kunstfreund 78 (= SNG Lloyd 822), Rizzo pl. I, 16, and Seltman pl. I, 1 (all struck from the same die pair), and Westermark 530.14 (this coin = AMB 257). Rare. An impressive and beautifully designed coin, nicely toned. Minor marks and deposits, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
From the collections of A. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998, 257, the Comtesse de Béhague, Vinchon 14 April 1984, 25, and T. Virzi, Hirsch XIX, 11 November 1907, 111.
Beginning with this issue in circa 420, the mint of Akragas embarked on an ambitious series of artistically important coins, which continued until the sack of the city by the Carthaginians in 406. The eagles become ever more naturalistic and the traditional crab initially shares the reverse with another type, as with this large grouper or the famous Skylla, but is then relegated to being a mere symbol near a rushing quadriga. This first type must have been both quite popular and issued in small numbers since most surviving specimens are not only rare but often very worn: the present piece is well above average and is most desirable.
Martine de Béhague was born in 1870 and married René-Marie-Hector de Galard de Brassac de Béarn on 10 February 1890, becoming the Comtesse de Béarn (she separated very rapidly and divorced in 1920). She spent her life (she died in 1939) as an art patron and collector: she bought this coin through a mail bid at Hirsch XIX, bidding 5000 RM she got it for 4825 OVER VIRGIL BRAND!
From the collections of A. Moretti, Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998, 257, the Comtesse de Béhague, Vinchon 14 April 1984, 25, and T. Virzi, Hirsch XIX, 11 November 1907, 111.
Beginning with this issue in circa 420, the mint of Akragas embarked on an ambitious series of artistically important coins, which continued until the sack of the city by the Carthaginians in 406. The eagles become ever more naturalistic and the traditional crab initially shares the reverse with another type, as with this large grouper or the famous Skylla, but is then relegated to being a mere symbol near a rushing quadriga. This first type must have been both quite popular and issued in small numbers since most surviving specimens are not only rare but often very worn: the present piece is well above average and is most desirable.
Martine de Béhague was born in 1870 and married René-Marie-Hector de Galard de Brassac de Béarn on 10 February 1890, becoming the Comtesse de Béarn (she separated very rapidly and divorced in 1920). She spent her life (she died in 1939) as an art patron and collector: she bought this coin through a mail bid at Hirsch XIX, bidding 5000 RM she got it for 4825 OVER VIRGIL BRAND!