Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 1410. Estimate CHF225.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Thessalian League. Hadrian. 117-138. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 16mm, 2.82 g 6), Nikomachos, circa 123-125. ΑΧΙΛ-ΛΕΥΣ Head of Achilles to right, wearing Attic helmet ornamented with Pegasos flying right on the bowl. Rev. ΝΙΚΟΜΑ - ΧΟΥ Horse prancing to right; below, monogram similar to the last. Burrer 152. SNG Copenhagen 341-2. A very attractive example with a fine green patina. About extremely fine.

This coin seems to be accurately dated to the earlier 120s AD, which is a pity since it would be fun to see it as a disguised portrait of Antinoos; alas he died in 130, making that theory impossible.A note from BCD: A scarce and desirable coin, especially in this condition and with no metal or surface problems as is often the case for this issue. Achilles, the son of the Thessalian king Peleas and the sea nymph Thetis is here honoured again on a coin of Thessaly, this time with his name fully spelled out. For an earlier and very different portrait of Achilles, see above, lot 1175.