CRETE, Knossos. Circa 300-270 BC. AR Stater (26.5mm, 10.52 g, 6h). Fine.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 314. Estimated: $ 3 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 6 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CRETE, Knossos. Circa 300-270 BC. AR Stater (26.5mm, 10.52 g, 6h). Head of Hera left, wearing stephane decorated with palmettes / Labyrinth. Svoronos, Numismatique 69 var. (ethnic below labyrinth); Le Rider, Crétoises pl. XXX, 12 (same rev. die); cf. SNG Copenhagen 73. Toned, a few scratches on obverse under tone. Fine. Very rare variety.

From the Thomas Palmer Collection. Ex Christopher Morcom Collection (Classical Numismatic Group 76, 12 September 2007), lot 616; Glendining (21 June 1972), lot 221.

By the early Classical period, the labyrinth had evolved from the most famous myth associated with Crete into the civic badge of Knossos. As such it made frequent appearances on the city’s coinage down to the Roman period. Although usually depicted in a square shape with winding concentric interior walls, as seen on this stater, it sometimes appeared in the form of a swastika, a circular maze with complex interior convolutions, or as a meandering pattern surrounding a central device. The image of the labyrinth was so distinctive, and so tied with Knossos, that the coins often dispensed with the usual ethnic naming the city.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session One – Lot 1-318 will be held Monday morning, 18 May 2026 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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