MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 450-330 BC. EL Stater (20mm, 15.97 g).

Triton XXIV
Lot: 624. Estimated: $ 5 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Electrum

Sold For $ 11 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 450-330 BC. EL Stater (20mm, 15.97 g). Lion standing right, biting into harpa (or hindquarters of prey?), on tunny right / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 177; Greenwell 108; Boston MFA 1502; SNG BN 322; BMC –; Gulbenkian 621; Jameson 2204. Lightly toned, faint cleaning mark on obverse. VF. Well centered and struck.

From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Künker 273 (14 March 2016), lot 331.

Depicted is a lion biting on something; exactly what seems to be hotly debated. Greenwell states that the object seemed to be a harpa, a type of short sword, possibly linking the coin to Perseus and his mythology. Yet, Greenwell was uncertain of such a conclusion. It seems more likely that the lion is devouring the hindquarters of its prey in a graphic display of the talent of Kyzikene engravers for depicting nature.

The final winners of all Triton XXIV lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 January 2021. This lot is in Session Two, which begins 19 January 2021 at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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