Lot 3324

Description

Ionia, Heraclea ad Latmun, (after 150-145 B.C.), tetradrachm (stephanophoros), (16.578 grams), obv. helmeted head of Athena to right, wearing triple-crested Athenian helmet, adorned in front with foreparts of five horses, behind raised cheekpiece with Pegasus running and at back with tendril, also with triple-pendant ear-ring and pearl necklace, rev. oak-wreath enclosing club, above **HRAKLEWTWN*, below Nike standing to left holding wreath all between to monograms **SKA and **WDIR*, (cf.S.4453, [£550], SNG Lockett 2823 [Pl.XLIX], Pozzi Collection [lot 2452]. Brilliant with off centred and weak reverse, otherwise good extremely fine/extremely fine, rare.

Ex Spink & Son, London with old ticket. The city of Heraclea, situated at the head of the Latmic Gulf about fifteen miles east of Miletus, was best known for a cave which was regarded as the tomb of Endymion. Heraclea joined with other Ionian and Aeolian cities in the issue of 'stephanephori' around 160-150 B.C., its issue being much smaller. Heraclea's obverse type for these broad flanned tetradrachms seems borrowed from the New Style coinage of Athens. The club on the reverse is a symbol of Heraclea, the city's namesake.