KINGS of EPEIROS. Pyrrhos. 297-272 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.63 g, 1h). Lokroi Epizephyrioi mint. Struck circa 278-275 BC. Good VF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 170. Estimated: $ 15 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 22 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of EPEIROS. Pyrrhos. 297-272 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.63 g, 1h). Lokroi Epizephyrioi mint. Struck circa 278-275 BC. Head of Zeus of Dodona left, wearing oak wreath; [A below] / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠYPPOY, Dione, draped and wearing polos, seated left on high backed throne, holding staff in right hand and lifting her veil with her left. Babelon, Roi, Type B/c; HGC 3, 261; Basel 211 (this coin); Bement 972; Boston MFA 944 = Warren 735; Munzen und Medaillen AG 53, lot 70 = Leu 2, lot 181 = G. Hirsch 19, lot 347 (same obv. die); Virzi Sale 476 (same obv. die); Pozzi 1287. Toned, a few light deposits, slight roughness. Good VF. Rare.

From the Hydrologist Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 104; A.D. Moretti Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998), lot 211.

A majestic example of early Hellenistic artwork, as noted by G.K. Jenkins: "It is at once apparent that in one important respect Pyrrhos' practice is closely akin to that of the Macedonian kings of this time, in that nowhere does his portrait appear. Much as we may regret this, the splendid and exuberant types of Pyrrhos' Lokrian coins go far to compensate for it. The tetradrachm has for the obverse the head of Dodonean Zeus, whose sanctuary lay in Pyrrhos' homeland; this head, crowned with oak leaves and with restless flowing hair and beard, makes a strong contrast with the restrained and classical head of the same god minted for Alexander of Epeiros at Tarentum, and even with the more concentrated style of Antigonos Doson's Poseidon, but the Pyrrhos coin is masterly in its different way. Its exciting and dynamic quality is well matched by the calm majesty of the reverse type, Dione seated on a high-backed throne and swathed in the complex drapery so typical of Hellenistic sculpture.... The impressive style of these coins is quite different from anything we might have expected at an Italian mint at this time, and it may well be that the artist responsible was not a local one, but may have come from mainland Greece or Macedonia." (G.K. Jenkins, Ancient Greek Coins [New York: Putnam, 1972], pp. 247-8.)

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session One – Lot 1-337 will be held Tuesday morning, 9 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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