CNG 105, Lot: 191. Estimate $5000. Sold for $6500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 450-330 BC. EL Stater (17mm, 16.02 g). Thetis, holding wreath in extended right hand, wearing shield on left arm, riding dolphin left; below, tunny left / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 159; Greenwell 48; Boston MFA 1501 = Warren 1467; SNG BN 307; BMC 69; Gillet –; Gulbenkian 634; Jameson –; Myrmekion –: Rosen –; Weber 4994. VF, toned, slightly off center. Very rare.

From the LVL Collection.

This type is thought to portray a Trojan War-related scene, with Thetis carrying the shield forged by Hephaistos to her son Achilles, for whom her wreath is also intended. However, Greenwell advanced an alternate theory, that it is a naval victory-related scene depicting a nereid, likely in commemoration of the Battle of Kyzikos in 410 BC.