Lot 1641

Description

Thessaly, Pharsalos, (424-405/4 B.C.), silver drachm, (5.442 grams), obv. Athena head to right in close fitting helmet, ornamented with wing, T over **[IP]* behind neck, rev. horseman prancing to right, traces of **FARS around horse, within incuse square, (cf.S.2190 [Å“300], Lavva - cf.116a [dies and type for drachm unlisted] Lavva type B.1.9). Fine and very rare, apparently unpublished.

Lavva reports no examples of this type from these dies with this letter combination behind the neck. The type with the letters T/I**P* behind the neck is known only on hemidrachms and it would seem logical for a drachm issue to occur, since issue types before and after struck drachms and hemidrachms. It has been given a hypothetical number Lavva 116a making it immediately precede the hemidrachm issue of this type.