Lot 1825

Description

Caria, Island of, Rhodes, c.400-385 B.C., silver tetradrachm, (15.210 grams), obv. head of Helios three-quarter face to right with hair loose, rev. rose, with bud with eagle to right, above **POD ION*, all within incuse square, (cf.S.5035, Gulbenkian 774 [same obverse die], BMC 8 [similar dies], SNG Del. 2747 [similar dies], Berend SNR 51 [1971] 24 Pl.1, 10 [same obverse die and a new reverse die]). A superb piece of splendid late classical style, good very fine and extremely rare, apparently unique for these dies.

The treatment of the hair and eyes on this wonderful facing head of Helios, coupled with the small lettering of the reverse ethnic, suggests this piece belongs early in the sequence established by Berend in 'Les tetradrachms de Rhodes de la premiere periode' SNR 51, which covered the initial period of Rhodian Helios tetradrachms, c. 394-375 B.C. This appears to be the second recorded example from this obverse die and a new reverse die with this variety of the eagle to right as a control mark.