164, Lot: 69. Estimate $300. Sold for $492. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CORINTHIA, Corinth. Circa 375-300 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 8.62 g). Pegasos flying left / Helmeted head of Athena left; G below chin, dove in wreath behind. Pegasi I p. 259, 419; BCD Corinth 110; Ravel 1029. Good VF.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March 1999), lot 513.

The symbol on this Corinthian stater seems to be a perfect match for the standard type of the coinage of Sikyon- a dove in a wreath. There must be a connection, but it is difficult to determine a specific reason for this useage. Corinth and Sikyon were close neighbors, only 18km apart close to the Isthmus, and the two wealthy cities had a definite love-hate relationship. Sikyon alternately supported Sparta in its rivalry with Corinth, and Corinth to deflect Athenian hegemony. In the time frame of this coinage, Sikyon tyrants were attempting to resist a Spartan alliance, and later alternated sides in the Greek confrontation with the rising Macedonian power. The dove symbol might well represent a payment by Corinth to help Sikyon resist the Spartans, or a donation by Sikyon to Corinth to assist the Greek cause.