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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 

The Helmet of Achilles?

390, Lot: 132. Estimate $75.
Sold for $110. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

TROAS, Achilleion. 4th century BC. Æ (10mm, 1.01 g, 2h). Crested helmet left / Civic monogram. SNG Ashmolean –; SNG Copenhagen 64. VF, earthen green patina.


Achilleion was a small town along the coast of Toas, south of Sigeion. The city was well known for its tomb of Achilles, and the obverse of this issue is thought to represent his helmet. In his 1951 work, Études do numismatique grecque, L. Robert, though, argued that this issue, and a similar one that features Athena on the obverse, are actually from the town of Achaiion, which is just south of Achilleion. Interestingly, Winterthur 2698, with the Athena obverse, is given to Achilleion in the text, while the plate lists it as Achaiion!