Ancient Greek Masterpieces on MA-Shops

Coinage from the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic Periods

(Sarasota, Florida) September 1, 2022 – Greece is considered to be one of the most brilliant civilizations in world history. The ancient Greeks laid many of the foundations for western civilization including philosophy, science, art, and architecture. As innovators and thought leaders, they were the first western civilization to mint coins, along with many other ground-breaking firsts. Their coins throughout the centuries depict the story of a culture with passion for heroes, gods, religious practices and political triumphs.

MA-Shops is pleased to feature Ancient Greek coins from the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods.

Archaic Period (until about 480 BC)

Lucania, Sirinos; 540-510 BC. AR Nomos or Tridrachm
This rare and unusual piece follows a style peculiar to Greek southern Italy: A broad, thin flan, obverse depicted in relief, the reverse repeating the obverse motif but in negative relief, or incuse, and reversed. Offered at $59,995 (USD).

Troas, Assos; 500-450 BC. Troas Drachma
This Assos example of the lions head and griffin looking in opposite directions is extremely rare, and one of the lesser known drachma examples of Assos. Lion head right, prominent teeth and tongue out, within square incuse. This lightly toned coin is the best known specimen of its kind, with lines clearly processed. Offered at $6,499 (USD).

 

Thessalia, Pharsalos; 400-370 BC. AR Drachma
Rare coin of beautiful classical style from the master die cutter Telephantos. Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet with raised cheek pieces in small letters behind neck, TH. Reverse: Thessalian cavalryman on horse prancing to right wearing petasos, chlamys and short chiton, holding lagobolon over right shoulder, Φ – A / P – Σ in the corners of a shallow incuse square. Offered at $3,749 (USD).

 

Classical Period (480–323 BC)

Kyrenaica, Kyrene; 322-314 BC. Gold. Stater
Very rare type in exceptional state of preservation. Slow quadriga driven right by Nike, holding kentron and reins; above, sun, Zeus-Lykaios seated left, holding eagle in extended right hand; in left field, thymiaterion. Perfectly struck from fresh dies with original luster. Offered at $129,989 (USD).

 

Thessalia, Larissa; 356-342 BC. AR Drachma
Rare coin with attractive tone, well struck with fine details of the best classical style. Head of the nymph Larissa facing left, wearing plain necklace, earring in right ear, hair confined by ampyx and floating loosely. Reverse: horse standing right, its forefoot raised, preparing to lie down, ?APIS above, AION in exergue. Offered at $3,349 (USD).

MacedonianTetradrachme; 424 – 380 BC Akanthos
An extremely fine sample with lion jumping on a kneeling bull and biting its croup, in the section grape and vine tendrils, the whole in a pearl circle. Reverse: ???-?T?-??, quadratum incusum, containing a square divided into four with finely grained fields. Offered at $12,003 (USD).

 

Attica, Athens; 475-460 BC. Tetradrachm
This is one of the very rare first group of Athenian tetradrachms that show the crescent moon on the reverse. Archaic head of helmeted Athena (patron deity of Athens). Reverse: owl standing r., head front, ATE to r., to l. crescent and drooping olive branch with two leaves and two olives. Very sharp coin; in good metal. Offered at $22,050 (USD).

 

Hellenistic period (323–31 BC)

Zeugitana, Carthage; 350-320 BC. AV Stater
Bust of Tanit left, hair wreathed with grain ears, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace with ten pendants; dotted border. Reverse: horse standing right on exergual line; three pellets to lower right at shin height, dotted border. Excellent strike and centering on gleaming flan. NGC Cert #4882923-033. MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Offered at $18,900 (USD).

Caria, Mylasa; 175-150 BC, Tetradrachm
Extremely fine rose with two buds. In inner left field, ?. In inner right field, Y. Reverse: I?-? Eagle standing right on palm branch, spreading wings. In right field ??, the abbreviation for the month of ??NEMOS in the Macedonian calendar, corresponding to c. June in the modern calendar. Areas of reverse flatly struck. Offered at $6,300 (USD).

 

Antiochus IV Epiphanes; 166-165 BC, Tetradrachm
This toned VF coin was struck for the Panhellenic festival created by Antiochus IV. Laureate head of Apollo r. Reverse: sculpture of Apollo Citharoedus wearing a long peplos, advancing r. playing lyre and holding patera; BASI?EOS ANTIOXOY TEOY to r., E?IFANOYS NIKHFOPOY to l. Apollo on the obverse is rarer than its companion piece showing head of Zeus, so may be one of the most desirable coins issued by the Seleucid kings. Only 10 recorded. Offered at $18,900 (USD).

 

Macedonia, Pyrrhus of Epirus, Amphipolis; 288-284 BC. AR Tetradrachm
Unique, very fine coin of great historical importance depicting head of young Herakles clad in a lion’s skin. Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, A?E?AN?POY on right side,BASI?EOS in exergue, torch on left side, ?YP-monogram beneath throne. Offered at $24,998 (USD).

 

More than 16,000 Greek coins are offered on MA-Shops; click here to view.

 

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