318, Lot: 352. Estimate $200. Sold for $650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KYRENAICA, Kyrene. First Revolt of the Kyrenaikans. Circa 313-312 BC. Æ (24mm, 12.94 g, 11h). Head of Zeus-Ammon right / Tomb of Battus: column on mound, surmounted by [urn]. Asolati 24a; SNG Copenhagen 1218; BMC lxvii, 187c-e. Fine, dark green-brown patina, rough surfaces. Extremely rare.

From the Browndyke Collection.

Battus I was the founder of Kyrene and the first king of Kyrenaica. He died circa 600 BC, after which he was buried within the boundaries of Kyrene (being entombed within a city’s limits was a rare honor in antiquity). Ruins near Kyrene’s ancient agora are thought by some scholars to belong to Battus’ tomb.