Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 16. Estimate CHF6000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF10500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Akragas. Circa 495-480/78 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 8.88 g 9). ΑΚΡΑ Eagle standing to left, wings closed Rev. CΑΣ (retrograde) Crab within circular incuse. Jenkins, Gela Group III. SNG ANS 949. A splendid piece, bright, lustrous, very well struck and perfectly centered. Good extremely fine.

This is a late example of Jenkins’ Group III. Of interest is the way the legend begins on the obverse and continues on to the reverse - this way of arranging the inscription is rarely found on Greek coins (on Roman coins, of course, the imperial titles commonly move from the obverse to the reverse), though the obverse and reverse types can occasionally form a single scene (as with the early didrachms from Gela). The eagle on the obverse of this coin is particularly nice, especially given its unusually fine condition and perfect centering.