Lot 4942

Description

Peloponnesos, Achaia, Patrai, issue of Damasias Agesilaou, silver triobol or hemidrachm, (c.mid 30’s B.C.), (2.17 grams), obv. diademed head of Aphrodite to right, wearing stephane, earring and necklace, hair bound behind in bun, dotted border, rev. **D*A/MACIAC all above the Patrae monogram all within laurel wreath, tied at bottom, (S.2963, BCD [LHS 96] 525, BMC 2-3, McClean 6325-8, SNG Lockett 2348, SNG Cop. 154). Lightly toned, weak in places fine/good fine and rare, with tickets.

Ex BCD Collection not in catalogues, acquired from AHB (A.H.Baldwin) of Baldwins, London in January 1975 coming from an American dealer. CNG in Sale 81/2 (May 2009) regarded the portrait of Aphrodite as that of Cleopatra. The coins were produced in haste and issued in the mid-30’s B.C. suggests an issue in conjunction with Mark Antony’s preparation of war with Octavian. The obverse has features of Cleopatra VII as many issues at that time used her features to flatter the queen. Bronze issues from Patrae with her name on the obverse were also issued in the late 30’s.