Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 211. Estimate CHF750.  Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.  Sold For CHF1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KYRENAICA, Kyrene. Circa 331-322 BC. Litra or tenth stater (Gold, 0.84 g 9). Head of the youthful Karneios to right, ram’s horn at his forehead. Rev. Head of Kyrene to right, wearing a sphendone and a large disc earring. BMC 68. SNG Copenhagen 1194. Rare. A nice clear and attractive example. Minor marks and abbrasions, and obverse struck slightly off center otherwise, extremely fine.

From the Lighthill collection.

Kyrene was quite rich in gold and that helps to explain why so many gold fractions were issued during the late 4th century. The fact that most are found worn to some extent proves that they circulated and were not solely held as a store of wealth or only used for major purchases (the way the large gold pieces were used in Egypt during the 3rd century).