TheNewYorkSaleauctionXL

1010

Sicily, Akragas. Silver Didrachm (8.74 g), ca. 480/78-470 BC. AK-RA, eagle standing right. Rev. CA-

, crab;

below, male head right. (Jenkins pl. 37, 18 (same dies) (SNG ANS 959 (same dies)). Well struck and perfectly

centered. Traces of luster present. Superb extremely fine.

$ 3,000

1011

Sicily, Akragas. Silver Hemidrachm (1.86 g), ca. 420-406 BC. Eagle left, head lowered to devour hare held

in talons. Rev. A-K-R-A, crab; below, fish right. (SNG ANS 1003-8).

Rare.

Uniform medium grey tone.

Extremely fine.

$ 400

High Quality Gela Silver Didrachm

1012

Sicily, Gela. Silver Didrachm (8.70 g), ca. 490/85-480/75 BC. Nude warrior on horseback galloping right,

preparing to hurl javelin. Rev. CE

, forepart of man-headed bull right, within circular incuse. (Jenkins

grp. Ic, 71 (O22/R23); SNG ANS 14 (same dies); Jameson 576 (same dies)). Attractive style. Toned. About

extremely fine.

$ 10,000

The reverse of this coin depicts the river-god Gelas in the form of a bearded man-faced bull. This peculiar form is derived from that

of Acheloös, the great river of Arkadia that was said to be the father of all rivers and who once fought Herakles. Recent study of the

man-faced bull on Greek coinage by N. Molinari and N. Sisci has led to the suggestion that the iconography was ultimately derived

from Near Eastern deities and carried west by mercenaries, many of whom returned to homes in Sicily and Italy after service in the

East. This theory would explain the popularity of the type in the region in the Archaic and Classical periods.