PAMPHYLIA, Aspendos. Circa 380/75-330/25 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.99 g, 11h). Good VF.

Electronic Auction 545
Lot: 221. Estimated: $ 150

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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PAMPHYLIA, Aspendos. Circa 380/75-330/25 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.99 g, 11h). Two wrestlers grappling; FИ between, MENETVΣ EΛVΦA in exergue / Slinger in throwing stance right; counterclockwise triskeles to right; all within dotted square border. Tekin Series 4; SNG BN 97-8. Iridescent tone, some weakness to strike, minor marks, struck with worn obverse die, off center and slight doubling on reverse. Good VF.

From the AVARAE Collection.

As renderings of athleticism and action, the coins of Aspendos have seldom been matched. Aspendos was a colony of Argos located at the southern coast of Asia Minor on the navigable River Eurymedon, which made it an important emporium and naval base. Its famous wrestler coinage commences circa 410 BC. Wrestling was one of the premier events of Greek sports, practiced at the Olympic Games and at gymnasia throughout the ancient world. Poses of the wrestlers vary greatly. Sometimes, as here, they grasp each other’s arms; in other cases one tries to punch or trip the other. This specimen is notable for the tiny inscription below the wrestlers, which seems to spell out two complete names. They could represent mint magistrates; however, one 19th century scholar postulated that they referred to the wrestlers, naming one as Menetos (“Stalwart”) and the other as Elypsas (“Slippery”).

Closing Date and Time: 30 August 2023 at 11:13:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.