Lot 1883

Description

Thessaly, Larissa, silver drachm, 344-321 B.C., (6.004 grams), obv, facing head three-quarter to right, head to left of the nymph Larissa, rev. horse grazing to right, AI below, in exergue traces of **[L]ARISAI, (Lorber, head type 11 (No.18), 18.1a, (this coin) described and illustrated p. 267 (Pl.277) (this coin), cf.McClean 4617-8, Hermann Pl.vi, 16-19, cf.S. 2124 but finer style). Slightly off centre on the reverse with full flan on obverse, of finest style being the only known example of this obverse die, punch mark on forehead, nearly extremely fine/good very fine and a very rare type.

Larissa changed its drachm design to feature a newly popular motif, the facing head. The heads are remarkably variable in style and some with the new artistic initiative was accompanied by signed dies (like the example above of artist [celator] AI..). The reverse shows a horse (a pregnant mare) quitely grazing. It probably represents the nymph Larissa in her animal form, for it was in the shape of a mare that she was courted by the god Poseidon in his contest with Athena. The raised shoulder on this obverse die of the finest type in the whole series probably represents a ball-throwing gesture in allusion to the myth of the nymph's drowning. The style of this unique obverse die (and this the only known example) show's delicacy, with elaboration and detail of the hair creating movement and a delightful female head. A similar example by the same celator was listed and illustrated on the cover of NFA list No.41 (June 1992) (POA) and another, lesser, example (18) at US $2650.