Greek Silver & Bronze

Lot 2443       Greek Silver & Bronze

Estimate $28,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $29,000

SICULO-PUNIC, (c.264-260 B.C.), the time of the First Punic War, silver six shekels or dodekadrachm, (44.32 grams), obv. head of Tanit to left wearing triple pendant earring and wreath of grain ears, rev. horse prancing to left, (S.6441 [p.596], Jenkins, SNR 57, 422-6 [dies 01/R1, this coin No.6], SNG Cop. 179 [same dies]). Toned with minor marks and slight surface corrosion on the obverse and with some light scratches on the reverse, otherwise very fine and of great rarity.

Ex Jacob Hirsch Auction Sale XIII 'Professor Rhousopoulos of Athens, Collection', May 15, 1905 (lot 4621, illustrated and realised 2625 marks); Bement Collection, Naville Sale VI, Jan. 28, 1924 (lot 602, illustrated and realised 6,407 SFr.); John W. Garrett Collection, Part II, Numismatic Fine Arts & Bank Leu Sale Oct. 16-18, 1984 (lot 156, illustrated and realised 27,500 SFr.); Sternberg Auktion No.20, Apr. 20, 1988 (lot 511 illustrated and realised 28,600 SFr.); Ed Milas Collection, sold Leu Numismatik Auction Sale Apr. 28, 1992 (lot 56, illustrated and realised 33,350 SFr.), ex Collection of Marion A. Sinton, sold Triton III, Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 1999 (lot 352 illustrated). Probably the largest silver coin issued in the Western Mediterranean, various places have been suggested as the mint with Agrigentum or Panormus most favoured. Jenkins records only thirteen examples of this coin (including this piece) from four obverse and five reverse dies.