Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 109 11 May 2023
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Thessaly, Ainianes AR Trihemidrachm. Hypata, 1st century BC. Nikanor-, magistrate. Head of Athena to right wearing crested Attic helmet / Phemios as a slinger, naked but for chlamys over his shoulder and sword in scabbard, shooting sling to right; behind, leaning against his right leg, two spears, ΑΙΝΙΑΝΩΝ to left, [ΝΙ]ΚΑΝΩP to right. Callataÿ, Le monnayage d'argent au type d'Athéna Parthénos émis au nom des Ainianes, Obolos 7 (2004), 130, 34 D4/R1 (this coin); BCD Thessaly II 41.2 (this coin). 6.96g, 23mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; apparently the only example with this magistrate.
This coin published in De Callataÿ, Le monnayage d'argent au type d'Athéna Parthénos émis au nom des Ainianes, Obolos 7 (2004);
Ex BCD Collection, Classical Numismatic Group LLC, Triton XV, 3 January 2012, lot 41;
Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., Buy or Bid Sale 181, 7 November 2012, lot 230.
Almost all specimens of this coinage appear to have a provenance dating back to collections formed in the early twentieth century. All the examples that have come to market in the last few decades were recycled from old collections. No hoards containing the coinage are known. Based on the study of de Callataÿ, didrachms of Leukas, this coin like lot XX was struck in 87 BC (The First Mithradatic War) as a contribution to Sulla's campaign against Mithrades VI Eupator. As noted by de Callataÿ both Leukas and Hypata "are located at strategic points for any Roman army coming from Brundusium and going directly to Attica." The fabric and technical features of both coinages "support the strong suspicion that skilled Roman agents were involved in the process. Their volumes (ca. 250 talents of silver in both cases) are consistent with the situation facing Sulla in the summer of 87 BCE."
Good Very Fine. Extremely Rare; apparently the only example with this magistrate.
This coin published in De Callataÿ, Le monnayage d'argent au type d'Athéna Parthénos émis au nom des Ainianes, Obolos 7 (2004);
Ex BCD Collection, Classical Numismatic Group LLC, Triton XV, 3 January 2012, lot 41;
Ex Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., Buy or Bid Sale 181, 7 November 2012, lot 230.
Almost all specimens of this coinage appear to have a provenance dating back to collections formed in the early twentieth century. All the examples that have come to market in the last few decades were recycled from old collections. No hoards containing the coinage are known. Based on the study of de Callataÿ, didrachms of Leukas, this coin like lot XX was struck in 87 BC (The First Mithradatic War) as a contribution to Sulla's campaign against Mithrades VI Eupator. As noted by de Callataÿ both Leukas and Hypata "are located at strategic points for any Roman army coming from Brundusium and going directly to Attica." The fabric and technical features of both coinages "support the strong suspicion that skilled Roman agents were involved in the process. Their volumes (ca. 250 talents of silver in both cases) are consistent with the situation facing Sulla in the summer of 87 BCE."