Lot 25
Thrace. Island of Thasos, c. 475-440 BC. AR Stater (8.62 g). Nude, ithyphallic satyr rushing to right, in archaic kneeling-running position, holding draped, protesting nymph, who wears bracelets on her arms. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square. SNG Cop. 1010, 1011. Well centered, toned. Struck from a die of the finest late Archaic style. An outstanding example of this prolific coinage. NGC graded Extremely Fine.
The island taking its name from one of the mythical sons of Poseidon, the earliest settlers in the 8th century BC were Phoenicians. Greek colonists later supplanted these peoples. The natural assets of the island were blessed indeed. Besides the prolific gold mines on the island, Thasos also had controlling interests in many of the silver mines on the Thracian mainland, opposite them. This allowed them to form and maintain a powerful navy and a substantial maritime industry. Exports from the island included quarried marble, nuts, and wine. Wine production was a major industry for the island. Their wine was dark, heavy, and famous for its rich bouquet. It was said to be one of the best, and most expensive of the ancient wines, and was exported in large sealed amphorae to as far afield as Susa (in Iran), Egypt, Magna Graecia, and the Black Sea area.
The prevalence of Dionysian subjects for their coinage relates to the fact that Dionysius was one of the two chief gods worshiped on Thasos. The god's main sanctuary was atop Mt. Pangaeus, was not far from Thasos; his worship dominated the Thraco-Macedonian religion of the region. Additionally, the satyr abducting the struggling nymph on their wide ranging coinage may be in part a reference to the potency of their wines -- since the mythical satyrs had a reputation for becoming extremely uninhibited when drunk.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
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| Realized $3,680 |
