54 / 194
112
Lokris, Lokri Opuntii. Silver Stater (12.26 g), ca. 360-350 BC. Head of Persephone left, wreathed with
grain ears, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace. Rev. O
P
ONTI
W
-N, Ajax, nude but for a helmet,
advancing right, holding sword and shield decorated with a palmette and a griffin in its interior; in right
field, eight-rayed star above two short spears. Humphris & Delbridge 127f (O20A/R40; this coin); Gul-
benkian 491 (same dies); BCD Lokris 58 (same dies). Beautiful high relief fine style and lightly toned.
Removed from an NGC holder where graded Ch XF*, strike: 5/5, surface: 5/5, fine style.
$4,000
From the Dionysus Collection
Ex Leu 30 (28 April 1982), lot 109
Ex R. A. Van Every Collection (Leu 15 (4 May 1976), lot 213.
The hero depicted on the reverse of this coin is identified as Ajax the Lesser, a Homeric king of the Lokrians who
led 40 ships in support of the Greek cause in the Trojan War. Although he was revered by the Lokrians and Ajax fought
with distinction during the war, he brought down a curse from the gods after the city fell. As divine punishment for his
rape of Kassandra in the temple of Athena Ilias, Poseidon sent a storm to wreck Ajax’s ship off the coast of Euboia on
his return voyage. During the storm the shipwrecked hero was struck dead by a bold of lightning. Nevertheless, even in
death he was honored by his people, who maintained a tradition of leaving one space empty in the phalanx for his ghost.
113
Boiotia, Thebes. Silver Stater (12.24 g), ca. 425-395 BC. Boiotian shield. Rev. [
Q
-
E
], bearded head of Dio-
nysos right, wreathed with ivy; all within concave incuse. BCD Boiotia 442-3; Myron Hoard pl. B, 5. Well
struck on an oblong flan. Untoned. About Extremely Fine.
$750