Ancients: PHOCIS. Delphi. Ca. 338-334 BC. AR stater (24mm, 12.29 gm, 6h). NGC (photo-certificate) AU ★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style....

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$228,000.00 Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder

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Pleasing Fine Style 'Star' Delphi Stater

PHOCIS. Delphi. Ca. 338-334 BC. AR stater (24mm, 12.29 gm, 6h). NGC (photo-certificate) AU ★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Amphictionic issue. Veiled head of Demeter to left, wearing wreath of grain leaves / ΑΜΦΙ-ΚΤΙΟ-ΝΩΝ, Apollo seated left on omphalus, resting his chin on his right hand with his right elbow propped on a large lyre at his side, transverse laurel branch in left hand; small tripod in left field. Kinns, Amphictionic, 9. Kunstwerke der Antike: Sammlung Robert Käpelli (1963) 82 (this coin). Wayte Raymond, The Pierpont Morgan Collection: Catalogue of Greek and Roman Coins (1953) 177 (this coin). Splendid deep cabinet toning and excellent pedigree.

Ex Numismtica Ars Classica, Auction 55 (8 October 2010), lot 387 (realized $208,030); Robert Kapelli Collection; J. P. Morgan Collection; and probably from the Myonia Hoard of 1899.

The Temple of Apollo was destroyed by an earthquake in 373 BC and almost immediately the members of the Amphictionic League began collecting contributions to rebuild it. It was finally finished circa 330 BC and silver donations were struck into coins in the mid 330s BC as recorded in the fragmentary accounts of the Amphictions. In Kinns' reworking of Raven's original study of these coins, and of the treasury accounts that refer to them, he was able to provide us with a good idea about how many coins were actually struck, as well as their survival rate. Kinns was able to record 26 genuine staters, translating to mean that only one out of approximately ten thousand pieces originally struck still survives. The beautiful and delicate artisty of Demeter on the obverse is wonderfully complemented by Apollo with his lyre and sitting on the famous omphalus, which was thought to be in the adyton (sacred part of the temple) near the Oracle. The omphalus had a knotted net covering, a hollow center and widened toward the base and was believed to be the means to directly communicate with the gods, through the Oracle who would inhale vapors that would rise through the opening.

This coin has been issued a photo-certificate by NGC. It may be sent in for encapsulation after the auction at the request of the buyer, free of charge. E-mail SamS@HA.com if you would like to utilize this option.

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