Triton XV, Lot: 466. Estimate $150. Sold for $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Methylion. Early to mid 4th century BC. AR Obol (11.5mm, 0.72 g, 6h). EY[P] from below l., upwards, Nike flying l. with outspread wings, holding tainia in both hands / [Μ]Εʘ-YΛ l. up, ΙΕ-[IΩΝ] r. down, warrior, naked but for crested Corinthian helmet, seen partly from rear, advancing l. with shield and spear. Boston MFA 909 (same dies). Fine, lightly toned, with minor surface granularity; extremely rare.

Schwabacher in NC 1939, pp. 10-12, describes one more of these coins that he saw in the Athens market in 1937, and illustrates it on pl. I, 13. It appears to be from the same dies as this coin. The letters on the obv. could be, according to Schwabacher, an epithet of Nike or of the games where she will crown the victor. See also below, lots 785.1 and 785.2 for another agonistic type, pertaining to music rather than athletics.