Extremely Rare Variety

335, Lot: 83. Estimate $300. Sold for $750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Messana. 317-311 BC. Æ Litra (22mm, 9.80 g, 12h). Head of the nymph Messana left, hair in band, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; shell and dolphin behind / Charioteer, holding goad in extended right hand, reins in left, driving biga right. Cf. Caltabiano 783-6 (D1/R– [unlisted rev. die]); CNS –; HGC 2, –. VF, green patina, light smoothing. Extremely rare - possibly the third known specimen.

The published specimens of this type show Nike holding reins and palm branch. On this specimen she is shown holding reins and goad. See Triton XII, lot 93, for another or the perhaps three known specimens (realized $4000 + buyer’s fee).