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Ancient Coins
1566
Macedonia, Roman Province. Aesillas. Silver Tetr-
adrachm (16.64 g), Quaestor, ca. 95-70 BC
. Uncertain
mint in Macedonia. [MAKE]
ON
N, head of the deified Alexan-
der right; behind, [
](?).
Reverse:
AESILLAS Q in two lines
above, money chest, club and chair; all within wreath. Cf. SNG
Copenhagen 1330. Attractive antique toning.
Extremely Fine
.
Estimate Value ..................................................... $350 - 400
From the Hanbery Collection; Purchased privately from F.
Kovacs.
Enlargement
1567 Macedonia, Akanthos. Silver Tetradrachm (17.05 g), ca. 500-480 BC
. Lion right attacking bull standing left; in exergue, floral ornament.
Reverse:
Quadripartite incuse square. Desneux 43 (D41/R39); SNG ANS 9. Attractively toned.
Choice Very Fine
.
Estimate Value .......................................................................................................................................................................$1,500 - 2,000
The Hanbery Collection.
The image of the lion attacking a bull on this coin of Akanthos is executed masterfully and conveys the full power and violence of the scene as if
the engraver had just been watching it unfold outside the window of his workshop. The great detail of the animals' musculature and the lion' s
mane give the image a vibrancy only found in Archaic Greek art. One can even make out the detail of the bull' s tongue protruding from its upon
mouth as it helplessly screams for the king of beasts to stop. The lion seems to make no reply except to sink his teeth further into his prey. While
the type gives the impression of close attention to the natural world, by the time it appears on Greek coins it was already a stock image in Iranian
art, perhaps reflecting the dualistic principles of Persian Zoroastrian religion.
Enlargement
1568 Macedonia, Eion. Silver Diobol (1.06 g), ca. 470-460 BC
. Goose standing right on decorative base, head turned to look back; behind,
(in
form of a pellet).
Reverse:
Quadripartite incuse square. SNG ANS 273. Toned.
Extremely Fine
.
Estimate Value ............................................................................................................................................................................ $250 - 300
From the Hanbery Collection; Purchased privately from CNA in the 1980s.