The Colossus

439, Lot: 83. Estimate $150. Sold for $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 305-275 BC. AR Didrachm (18.5mm, 6.49 g, 12h). Radiate head of Helios right / Rose with bud to right; cornucopia and EY to left. Ashton 165; Ashton, Colossus, Series 2A, – (A3/P2 [unlisted die combination]); HGC 6, 1436. VF, toned, even slight roughness, traces of find patina.

The profile head of Helios is quite different from the usual facing heads and can safely be taken as a representation of the head of the famous Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, which was under construction at the time this coin was struck.