Sale: Nomos 6, Lot: 78. Estimate CHF5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 May 2012.  Sold For CHF4600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARKADIA, Pheneos. Circa 370-340 BC. Obol (Silver, 0.92 g 7). Bust of youthful Hermes to right, his cloak tied around his neck and with his petasos hanging behind, suspended by a cord. Rev. ΦΕ Ram standing to right; above, kerykeion to right. BCD 1608. BMC 5. Traité II, 3, 891. Weber 4317. Rare. A spectacular piece of great beauty. Virtually as struck.

From a European collection, acquired before 2009.

The main 4th century silver coinage of Pheneos consisted of very rare staters and drachms and very scarce hemidrachms, all bearing heads of Demeter on their obverses and either a standing or seated figure of Hermes or a bull on their reverses. Most of these coins were probably used for trade or mercenary pay. For local use the city also issued bronzes and a relatively small and rare group of obols bearing a head of Hermes and a ram. The present piece is surely the finest known example of the type.