LOT #23018 |
Sold on Sep 7, 2011 for: Not Sold
Ancients: Acragas. Ca. 410-406 BC. AR tetradrachm (17.20 gm). ...
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Description
Peak of Sicilian Coinage
Acragas. Ca. 410-406 BC. AR tetradrachm (17.20 gm). Charioteer in racing quadriga right, Nike, flying left above to crown driver / [AKPAΓ]ANT[OΣ], two eagles standing right on hare, foreground eagle with closed wings, lifting its head, the other with wings spread, about to tear its prey with its beak. Seltman NC 1948. pp.1-10, SNG Dewing 561, Rizzo pl. II.1. Compact, rather short flan, otherwise deeply struck in good metal and exceptionally well detailed. Extremely fine.The famous decadrachms and tetradrachms of Acragas, struck during the late 5th century BC, are commonly agreed to rank among the most beautiful coins ever struck. This design may have been inspired by a scene from Aeschylos' play "Agamemnon," where Agamemnon and Menelaus witness an omen in which two eagles, representing two kings, devour a pregnant hare, representing the city of Troy. The city's brilliant coinage of this era was cut short by the destruction of Acragas by Carthage in 406 BC.
Auction Info
2011 September Long Beach Signature World & Ancient Coins Auction #3015 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2011
7th-12th
Wednesday-Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,038
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.
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