Trikka. Lot of 2 coins.

Triton XV, Lot: 785. Estimate $150. Sold for $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Lot of 2 coins.

(785.1) THESSALY, Trikka. Circa 400 BC. AR Obol (11mm, 0.76 g, 2h). Free horse standing r., border of dots / [T]PI r. down inwards, KKA l. up outwards, Apollo, radiate and in long robes, walking l., playing lyre; in field l., downwards and retrograde, AʘΛA; all in shallow incuse square. Published: Moustaka, TRIKKAIΩN, p. 86 ff. and pl. 12 a (this coin). Good Fine, toned, of the greatest rarity and importance.

This obol is offered together with the next coin 785.2, as they complement one another and are the only two known Trikka obols depicting Apollo playing his lyre. They are also related to the trihemiobol (lot 784 above; see note after it) that has the same subject.

(785.2) THESSALY, Trikka. Circa 400 BC. AR Obol (11mm, 0.70 g, 2h). Free horse prancing l., below, VE, the E retrograde; border of dots / TPI r. down inwards, [K]KA l. up outwards, Apollo, wreathed and in long robes, walking l., playing lyre; in field l., downwards and retrograde, AʘΛ; all in shallow incuse square. Unpublished (but see previous coin). Near VF, toned; both sides a little off centre but not affecting the types; as rare and important as the other coin in this lot.

This is the second known Trikka obol with Apollo playing his lyre and the AʘΛA (here only AʘΛ) inscription, referring to a festival or competition involving music, unknown to us. The obverse again die-links with a regular issue, 779.1 above. As the AʘΛA coins have been dated by Moustaka to ‘after 405 BC’, it seems as if at least some of the other Trikka obols listed above were also struck towards the end of the 5th century.