Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 87. Estimate CHF2000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF3600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARKADIA, Arkadian League. Circa 460-450 BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 2.84 g 7), Tegea. Zeus Lykaios, seen partially from behind, seated right on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and with eagle flying right over his right Rev. APKADIK (retrograde) Head of Kallisto, three-quarter facing to right, her hair bound in a bun at the back; all within incuse square. BCD Peloponnesos -, but cf. 1715. Williams 207. Very rare. Toned. Some edge cracks, two minor digs on the reverse and with a lightly struck obverse, otherwise, good very fine.

From the BCD collection.

The mint of Tegea produced some rather extraordinary facing heads during the mid 5th century. This one shows the nymph Kallisto in the process of turning her head from the side to the front. It is not wholly successful, but it shows amazing technical prowess.