CRETE, Knossos. Mid 2nd-early 1st centuries BC. AR Tetradrachm (32mm, 15.67 g, 12h). EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 204. Estimated: $ 10 000

Greek, 12h, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 55 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CRETE, Knossos. Mid 2nd-early 1st centuries BC. AR Tetradrachm (32mm, 15.67 g, 12h). Diademed and bearded head (of Minos?) right / Labyrinth; KNΩ/Σ-I/ΩN in three lines across field. Cf. Svoronos, Numismatique 98–101 and 177–8 (for type). Some cleaning marks and pitting. EF. An unpublished issue, struck between Svoronos types 98 and 177.

The ancient city of Knossos, the remains of which were excavated by Sir Arthur Evans, beginning in 1900, was founded in the Minoan Period (circa 1700-1400 BC) as a large and complex palace-city. Although the exact origin of the word labyrinth, as well as its location, remains open to scholarly conjecture, the intricate maze of rooms and interior courtyards of this palace-city contributed to the later Greek use of the word to describe a maze and the source of the events connected with it to Crete.

According to the Greek myth, Minos was the first king of Crete. Although he gave the island its first constitution, ordered the construction of the palace at Knossos, and was the first to build a navy, he was a cruel tyrant and imperialist. One of his subject cities was Athens. He demanded from its citizens as payment every nine years seven youths and seven virgins. Minos would feed them then to the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull who was held in the Labyrinth, a large walled maze. To stop this brutal tribute, the Athenian hero Theseus had himself sent as part of the required tribute. With the assistance of Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, Theseus was able to navigate the Labyrinth successfully and kill the Minotaur.

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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