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BRUTTIUM, Kaulonia. Circa 525-500 BC. AR Nomos (29.5mm, 8.00 g, 12h). Apollo advancing right, holding branch aloft in right hand, left arm extended, upon which a small daimon, holding branch in each hand, runs right; KAVΛ to left; to right, stag standing right, head reverted; dot-and-cable border / Incuse of obverse, but daimon, branch, and stag’s antlers in outline, and no ethnic; radiate border. Noe, Caulonia, Group A, 20 (same dies); Gorini 4; HN Italy 2035; SNG ANS 148 (same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 259–60. Old cabinet tone, with some iridescence around the devices, minor die break on obverse. Good VF. Excellent metal. Click here for a video presentation on this collection.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection, purchased from Dr. Arnold R. Saslow, July 1989 (who had acquired the coin from Numismatic Fine Arts, May 1989). Reportedly ex Mossberg Collection (1946).
Kaulonia was founded in the 7th century BC by Achaean Greeks. The location, on the underside of Italy’s “toe,” has long since disappeared beneath the waves, but marine archaeologists have located more than 100 fluted columns, likely for a large shrine to Apollo, the deity depicted on the city’s beautiful coinage. On this exceptional piece, Apollo’s nude body is shown striding right, with a small winged daimon on his left arm; to his right stands a stag, sacred to both Apollo and his sister Artemis. The unusual fabric of this piece follows a style peculiar to Greek southern Italy in the archaic period: a broad, thin flan, obverse depicted in relief, the reverse repeating the obverse motif but incuse, and reversed. The reasons for the popularity of this fabric are poorly understood; some scholars have postulated a connection to the mathematician-philosopher Pythagoras, who was active in Italy during this period.
The final winners of all Triton XXVIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2025.
Triton XXVIII – Session One – Lot 1–287 will be held Tuesday morning, 14 January 2025 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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