Triton XV, Lot: 314. Estimate $250. Sold for $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Larissa. Mid to late 4th century BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 5.84 g, 11h). Head of the nymph Larissa three-quarter facing l., wearing ampyx and plain necklace; border of dots / [Λ]ΑΡΙ below, [Σ]ΑΙΩΝ above, but both retrograde, horse r., crouching and preparing to roll. It has not been possible to locate a printed reference for this exact type and obverse die. VF, lightly toned and attractive, minor obv. granularity; an understated and elegant portrait; very rare variety.

For some obscure reason this coin has been the collector’s favourite late facing head. He would like to think that this is because of its rarity but it may also be because this superb portrait radiates an aura of “peaceful sadness”, a mood that is shared by this writer as he says goodbye to the last, and most cherished, of his BCD collections.