Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 1384. Estimate CHF600.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF28000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Thessalian League. Late 2nd - mid 1st century BC. Drachm (Silver, 4.28 g 12), Kraterophron and Amynandros. Bust of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet with plain bowl. Rev. ΘΕΣΣΑ / ΛΩΝ Bridled horse trotting to right; above, ΚΡΑΤΕ / ΡΟΦΡΟ / ΝΟΣ; in exergue, ΑΜΥΝΑΝΔΡΟΣ. SNG Hart 572. Very rare. An attractive coin with types in high relief. Extremely fine.

Ex Giessener Münzhandlung 48, 2 April 1990, 274 (DM 11,000).

This coin has the distinction of probably being the most expensive coin of the late Thessalian League ever sold. We blush to indicate the amount here but as BCD has often pointed out, if wonderful quality and great rarity come together, there are some collectors who lose their heads.
A note from BCD: Indeed I have been accused of losing my head over coins but, let’s face it, sometimes the little critters are really worth it! Also, in the case of auctions, it takes at least two people to reach an absurd price; which means that people who loose their heads usually go in pairs. ASW adds: but let’s be honest, many times when BCD put his hand up there were people who just automatically put up theirs; especially when they knew he would not put his down and there would be no risk of actually getting the coin. They thought it was fun and, sometimes, the auctioneer would buy them a bottle of champagne afterwards.