Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 1295. Estimate CHF250.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Pharsalos. Early 4th century BC. Dichalkon (Bronze, 18mm, 4.58 g 11). Helmeted head of Athena Parthenos facing, turned slightly to the right. Rev. ΦΑ-Ρ Armored Thessalian horseman riding right, brandishing flail; behind him, soldier walking right with staff over his shoulder. Lavva 347 = Rogers 508 (same dies). Rare. Attractive, glossy, dark patina. About extremely fine.

Lavva identifies this as having been struck by her dies O178/R247 - but the actual reverse die is completely unlike her R247: among the minor differences is the fact that the legend reads ΦΑΡ rather than ΦΑΡΣΑΛΙΩΝ as given by Lavva or Rogers’ equally wrong ΦΑΡΣΑ. It would also be really strange for a representation of Athena portrayed with simple bust, without shield and spear, to suddenly appear in the midst of coins with those attributes; thus, it has been placed here.