Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 103. Estimate CHF40000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF80000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CRETE, Sybrita. 4th century BC. Stater (Silver, 10.79 g 7), c. 320. Bearded head of Dionysos to right, wearing wreath of vine leaves; to right, bunch of grapes. Rev. ΣΥΒΡΙΤΙΩΝ Head of Hermes to right, wearing petasos and chlamys; to right, kerykeion. Kraay Hirmer 555 (same dies). Svoronos, Numismatique 4. pl. 30, 16 (same dies). Traité III, 1712 and pl. CCLIX, 6 (this coin). Extremely rare and of splendid late classical - early hellenistic style. Struck in high relief and toned. Good very fine.

From the Spina collection, ex Leu 77, 11 May 2000, 233 and Bank Leu 30, 28 April 1982, 153, and from the collection of S. Pozzi, Naville I, 4 April 1921, 2008.

The coinage of Sybrita is remarkably attractive, albeit very rare. The town was an insignificant one, located at the foot of Mount Ida, and it must have produced its coins out of local pride, utilizing the finest engravers available.