Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich

Auction 82  –  20 May 2015

Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich, Auction 82

The M.L. Collection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily and The J. FALM Coll...

We, 20.05.2015, from 11:00 AM CEST
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Description

The M.L. Collection of Coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily Selinus Tetradrachm circa 409, AR 17.38 g. Fast quadriga driven r. by Nike; above, wreath and in exergue, SELINONTION / ear of barley. Rev. The young river-god Selinos, naked, standing l., with laurel branch in l. hand while sacrificing out of patera over lighted altar in front of which cockerel; in r. field, bull butting on wreathed rectangular base; above, Selinon leaf. In exergue, fish l. Regling Antike 572 (these dies). Rizzo pl. XXXIII, 11 (this obverse die). Schwabacher 45. AMB 411 (these dies). Very rare and possibly the finest specimen known. An absolutely spectacular obverse composition of masterly style perfectly struck and centred on sound metal. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc Ex Leu 20, 1978, 39 and Leu 52, 1991, Distinguished American Collection, 19 sales.This issue of tetradrachms, with a fast quadriga shown partially facing, is generally dated to the period c.417-409 B.C. Kraay and Robinson preferred a date of c.410, just before the city’s destruction by the Carthaginians in 409. Kraay notes that the distinctive quadriga scene must have been inspired by an issue of Syracuse tetradrachms on which a nearly identical quadriga scene had been created by the engraver ”Euth...” (Tudeer obverse die 15). No other signed works of that gifted artist are known.While Kraay’s observation appears justified – especially in the context of the widely held belief that Syracuse was the vanguard of artistic trends in Sicilian coinage – it may not bear scrutiny. Indeed, not all authorities place the Syracusan prototypes (Tudeer nos. 46-47) so early: commonly they are dated as early as c.415, but with equal frequency they are described as having been struck as late as c.405.Regardless of the precise date of the issue, this tetradrachm of Selinus undeniably is an artistic masterpiece struck in the midst of dire conflict, notably with Segesta to the south, but perhaps also with more distant powers, including Syracuse and Carthage. Late in the 5th Century a purely local dispute of Segesta and Selinus grew out of proportion and drew outside interest. In 416 B.C. it led to Syracusan and Athenian interventions that three years later culminated in the destruction of an Athenian armada. In 410/9 B.C., perhaps when this coin was struck, it offered the pretext for a Carthaginian invasion that ended in the destruction of Selinus and Himera.

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Price realized 42'000 CHF
Starting price 40'000 CHF
Estimate 50'000 CHF
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