Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 1300. Estimate CHF400.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF1300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Pherai. Circa 479-465 BC. Obol (Silver, 0.87 g 11), Circa 462/1-460. Head and neck of bull to right, head facing front; above, Χ; below right, Ν (retrograde). Rev. ΦΕ-R-Α Head of bridled horse to left; all within incuse square. Liampi, 19961, O1/R1 and pl. 5, 6 (this coin). An atrtractive coin, boldly struck. Extremely fine.

A note from BCD: This is an unusually fine and well struck obol of a type that more often than not is struck off center and occurs with die breaks, not to mention corrosion problems. The second letter on the obverse looks like a retrograde Ν at first glance, but on more careful scrutiny there is also a stroke joining the base of its middle leg with the middle of its right leg. This could be just a die flaw, but in case it isn’t, the three resulting letters, Χ-Α-Ν suggest a connection (same engraver?) with Krannon, whose silver is clearly signed with these letters (see above, lots 1077, 1079 and 1080).