A Silver Tetradrachm of Athens is one of the historical treasure for Baldwin Auction 83 will be held on the 24th of September, at the CIPFA Conference Centre, London, in conjunction with Coinex 2013, the UK’s premier numismatic exhibition. 1383 lots of high quality Ancient and World coins and medals from around the globe will be in the auction.
Lot 4047, a Silver Tetradrachm of Athens, 449-415BC, is a remarkable example of the famous Athenian coin and a true piece of art in its own right. This stunning lot is estimated to sell for £8,000-9,000.
The obverse depicting Goddess Athena, patron of Athens, wearing a crested Attic helmet, decorated with three olive-leaves and a palmette is well-struck from fresh dies on a broad flan of excellent metal. The reverse presents an unusually handsome, well-centred owl, standing right, its head facing, with olive-sprig and crescent moon in fine detail, all attractively enveloped within the surrounding flan.
During the second half of the 5th Century, when this remarkable coin was issued, Athens became a major power in Greece, after the defeat of Xerxes’ invading army. Vast quantities of this iconic Silver Tetradrachm were produced, with up to 90% of surviving coins in present day dating from this period. This design, which remained almost unchanged for over a century, appears in many modern collections; however, unlike other examples, to see a piece of this quality and stylistic beauty is a rare opportunity not to be missed.
Other coins highlights:
Lot 4016-Sicily, Syracuse (Deinomenid Tyranny, 485-466 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, struck under Gelon, c.480-478 BC, charioteer wearing a long chiton, holding a kentron in his right hand and the reins in his left, driving a quadriga right, Nike flies above to right to crown the horses, rev ΣVRA-KOΣ-I-O-N, head of Arethusa facing right, wearing a pearl-diadem and a necklace, four dolphins swimming around, 17.33g, 7h (Boehringer 86 (V42/R55); SNG ANS 21 (this reverse die); SNG Lloyd 881 (this reverse die)). Well-struck on excellent metal, residual lustre beneath cabinet tone, extremely fine. Estimate: £4,000-6,000
Lot 4030- Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II (359-336 BC), Gold Stater, mint of Amphipolis, struck c.340-328 BC, laureate head of Apollo right, rev ΦIΛIΠΠOY, charioteer driving a galloping biga right, corn-grain below horses, 8.60g, 2h (Le Rider pl. 74, 18 (D7/R17), this coin, = SNG Lockett 1401). Lightly toned, nearly extremely fine and with a good pedigree. Estimate: £2,500-3,000
Lot 4094-Kingdom of Syria, Seleucid Kings, Alexander I Balas, with Cleopatra Thea (152-145 BC), Silver Tetradrachm, mint of Ake-Ptolemais, struch c.150 BC, diadem and veiled bust of Cleopatra Thea, as Tyche jugate to right with the diademed bust of Alexander Balas, A behind heads, rev [BA]ΣIΛEΩΣ [A]ΛEΞANΔPOY ΘEOΠATOPOΣ EYEPΓETO, Zeus enthroned left, 17.04g, 11h (Houghton & Lorber, SC, 1841; SNG Spaer 1483; Jameson 1715; Boston Supp. 280 (this obverse die)). Two portraits of the finest style for this issue, a few light marks, otherwise well-struck and lightly toned, extremely fine and very rare, a Hellenistic masterpiece. Estimate: £10,000-12,000
This auction is sold as part of a three day Baldwin’s auction extravaganza alongside The David Fore Collection of Indian Coins (Part three) and The Arielle Collection of British Colonial Coins (Part One). The auctions will take place in London during Coinex 2013, on the 24 – 26 September, at the CIPFA Conference Centre, Robert Street. Catalogues are available online at www.baldwin.co.uk.
