Lot 4285
Lucania, Thourioi. Silver Stater (7.99g) struck ca. 420-410 BC. Signed by the artist:"Φ". Head of Athena right, wearing a crested Attic helmet wreathed in olive leaves; engraver's initial Φ, before. Reverse: Bull walking left, head lowered; bird with open wings below; fish left belly-up in exergue. SNG Ashmolean 899 (same dies); SNG ANS 948 (same obverse die); Kraay-Hirmir 251 (same obverse die). Full types of masterful style in high relief with lovely toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
The artist "Φ" here may be the master engraver Phrygillos, who is believed to have worked at Thourioi. Phrygillos is known for his signed dies at Syrakuse, and his work has also been identified at Terina. The bird below the bull on the reverse of this coin could then be considered a pun on his name, for phrygillos is Greek for "finch."
Estimated Value $15,000 - 18,000.
Ex Leu 81, 16 May 2001, lot 26; Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection II (Sotheby's) 21 June 1990, lot 204; Numismatic Fine Arts X, Sept. 17, 1981, lot 19; Bank Leu 25, 23 April 1980, lot 38.
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