Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 1215. Estimate CHF300.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Oitaioi. Circa late 4th-early 3rd century. Hemidrachm (Silver, 2.38 g 12), Herakleia Trachinia. Lion’s head to left, with spear in its jaws. Rev. ΟΙΤΑΙ / ΩΝ Herakles standing facing, holding club with both hands transversely across his chest. BMC 8. Valassiadis 5. Rare. Nicely toned. Nearly extremely fine.

Acquired from A. H. Baldwin in October 1976 for £212 and from the Livingstone collection.

A note from BCD: There is a distinct similarity between the reverse of this coin and the reverse of the didrachm, below lot 1217; their dates should be the same. No, I hate to disagree with such an eminent and perspicacious master, but while there is a similarity between the reverses, it is only because they are both Herakles. I do not think there is any chronological relationship linking these two coins.