Lot 4228

Description

Ionia, Phokaia, (c.478-387 B.C.), electrum hekte or sixth stater, (2.58 g), issued in 330 B.C. [Bodenstedt dating], obv. head of a young satyr to left wearing a mask of Silenus on top of his head, to right a small seal swimming downwards, rev. quadripartite incuse square (cf.S.4527, Bodenstedt 70, BMC 43). Lightly toned, some light cleaning marks and porosity, nearly extremely fine and very rare.

Ex Nomos, Winter-Spring listing January 15, 2004 as part of CNG with Nomos ticket (cost US$3250). The type is known from 1 obverse and 2 reverse dies and only 3 examples of type known to Bodenstedt.
This extraordinary obverse shows a young satyr who has just performed a satyr dance disguised as Silenus, an old satyr. He is clearly not a human dancer since he has an inner ear of his own. We know the dance has finished since he has raised his Silenus mask, which is of a bearded and bald satyr and placed on top of his head. (See SNR 52 pp.44-45 for additional information).