Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 73. Estimate CHF12500.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF12000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ELIS, Olympia. 106th Olympiad. 356 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.01 g 6). Laureate head of Zeus to left Rev. FΑ Eagle, with closed wings, standing right on Ionic column. BCD Olympia -. BMFA 1212 (=Seltman 181b). Seltman, Temple 181 (CD/δρ). SNG Copenhagen 385 (=Seltman 181c). A particularly nice example with a wonderful head of Zeus, free from the die rust usually found on coins struck from this die. Lightly toned. Nearly extremely fine.

This coin bears a remarkable head of Zeus. It is both severe and serene in feeling, most appropriate for the king of the gods. Soon after this coin was struck the style changed; Zeus was portrayed with a head that had a much less mannered beard and much longer hair.