Metropolis. Lot of 2 coins.

Triton XV, Lot: 482. Estimate $150. Sold for $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Lot of 2 coins.

(482.1) THESSALY, Metropolis. 3rd century BC. Æ Trichalkon (19.5mm, 7.37 g, 12h). Laureate head of Apollo r. / MHTPOΠOΛΙTΩN from the top, r. down circular, forepart of man headed bull to l., head turned back to face the viewer, in field l., monogram. No exact reference found in the literature consulted. Near VF, dark brown patina, with a scattering of dark red areas.

There seems to be a double strand of cord or a ribbon across the body of the river god, and it is connected to the side of his head; this may be a symbolic way to associate the image with the sacrifice of bulls that always have fillets hanging from the sides of their head.

(482.2) THESSALY, Metropolis. 3rd century BC. Æ Trichalkon (20mm, 8.14 g, 12h). Laureate head of Apollo r., his hair long and falling behind his head; border of dots / MHTPOΠOΛΙTΩN from middle l., up and r. down circular, Aphrodite Kastnia standing l., holding dove with r. hand, her l. elbow leaning on short column beside her; in front of her, dove flying towards her. No reference found in the literature consulted but see for the same obverse die CNG 81 (20 May 2009) 418. Near VF, dark grey brown patina; surfaces a bit rough but an interesting reverse variant, apparently unknown and unpublished.

The reverse type is probably trying to depict, as faithfully as possible, the statuary type from which the die cutter derived his subject.