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᷅ SOLD: Thasos, Thrace AR Drachm, 500-480 BC

365.00 AUD

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Origin: Thasos, Thrace
Denomination: AR Drachm
Composition: Silver
Date: 500-480 BC
Obverse: Satyr kneeling-running right, carrying off protesting or struggling nymph
Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square
Size: 15.60mm, 3.2g
Grade: gF, lightly toned, porous surfaces, die faults
References: SNG Copenhagen 1014-1016 (same style as 1015); CNG eAuction 230, Lot 10 (same obverse die); H.D. Rauch Summer Auction 2009, Lot 97 (same obverse die); Agora Auctions Sale 40, Lot 13 (same obverse die); Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger Auction 264, Lot 148 (same obverse die); Pegasi Numismatics Buy or Bid Sale 141, Lot 141 (same obverse die); Rosen 143; Le Rider Thasiennes 3; BMC Thrace 12; Grose 4200; SGCV I 1358; HGC 6 332
General: This coin most closely resembles the style of SNG Copenhagen 1015 with which it possibly shares the same obverse dies, or at least a die from the same die-engraver, facts which could be verified were the plates of this particular SNG catalogue clearer. Searches in auction archives show this coin to have extensive obverse die-linkage with other coins.

Thasos (Θάσος) is the northern most island of Greece. First colonised by the Phoenicians, likely due to its gold mines, it was also well known in antiquity for its nuts, wine and marble. The Roman senator, Gaius Cassius Longinus, brother in law to Brutus and co-conspirator in the plot to assassinate Julius Caesar was buried on the island. The ancient coins of Thasos are famous for their depiction of the insatiable Satyr carrying off a protesting or struggling nymph. Lovers of wine and women, Satyrs are companions of Dionysus, the Greek god of pleasure. On some coins, like this one, the nymph is raising her hand which leads us to interpret that she is protesting or struggling, whereas on later issues she has her arms around the shoulders of the Satyr. It will never be known for certain whether the die-engravers intended to show a display of passion or struggle.
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All references used by Ancient Coin Traders

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