Lot 4134

Description

Ionia, Smyrna, (c.2nd-1st century B.C.), Pollis Magistrate, AE 22, (13.37 g), obv. laureate head of Apollo to right, dotted border, rev. Homer (the poet) seated to left holding scroll, star above knee, with the Magistrates names **POLLIS* to left, mint name **ZMURNAI[WN]* to right, (cf.S.4571, SNG Cop.1215, Milne Autonomous 406). Even light brown patina, very fine and very rare, with an interesting figure of the seated Homer.

Ex CNG, Triton III Auction Sale, Nov. 30-Dec 1, 1999 (lot 1743 part). See article in Studia Paulo Naster Oblata I Numismatica Antiqua, 'Homer on Coins from Smyrna' by C. Heyman. The author maintains that this coin's reverse is linked and represents the Homerea a famous statue of Homer from Symrna mentioned by Strabo.