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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

Extremely Rare Iolkos Bronze Depicting the Argo

311, Lot: 60. Estimate $200.
Sold for $2200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Iolkos. Mid 4th century BC. Æ Chalkous (12mm, 2.00 g, 12h). Head of Artemis Iolkia right, with quiver over shoulder, wearing earring and necklace / [I]OΛΚIΩN, prow of the galley Argo left, with a branch with leaf attached to the stempost. Liampi, Iolkos 2 (O2/R1); BCD Thessaly II 95 (same rev. die; hammer of $1700). Good VF, dark green patina. Extremely rare, perhaps only the eighth known coin of Iolkos.


From the BCD Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 192 (23 July 2008), lot 370 (part of).

Iolkos is best known as the departure point for Jason and the Argonauts. Liampi suggests the decorative element attached to the prow’s stempost is the piece of oak from the sacred forest of Dodona, which Athena fastened to the keel for its ability to speak prophecies.