Nomos AG, 41
ARKADIA, Arkadian League. Circa 430-420 BC. AR Hemidrachm (14mm, 2.92 g, 8h). Zeus Lykaios seated left, right hand extended, holding upright scepter in left; to left, eagle flying left / Head of Kallisto left; A-P-K-A at corners; all within incuse square. Williams,
Confederate 304 var. (O205/R- [unlisted rev. die]); BCD Peloponnesos 1465; SNG Copenhagen -; BMC 45. Good VF, toned, typical die wear on obverse. Struck from dies of fine style. Very rare.
Ex BCD Collection (not in LHS sale); Leu 13 (29 April 1975), lot 171.
Kallisto, a nymph who was one of the companions of Artemis, was seduced by Zeus and gave birth to Arkas, the eponymous ancestor of the Arkadians. Soon after, either an angry Artemis, a jealous Hera, or a protective Zeus changed hear into a bear. In the end, she and her son were transformed into the constellations Ursa Major and Minor.
