Lot 4344
Phokis, Delphi. Silver Stater (12.16g) struck in the name of the Amphiktyonic Council, ca. 336-334 BC. Veiled head of Demeter left, wreathed with wheat ears. Reverse: Apollo Pythios, laureate and wearing chiton, seating left on an omphalos which is draped with his himation and covered in a netting of woolen cords, resting his chin on his right hand; his right elbow propped on his kithara before him; holding in his left hand a long laurel branch over his shoulder; tripod in left field. P. Kinns, "The Amphictionic Coinage Reconsidered," NC 1983, pl. I, 7-8 (O1/R5). Struck in high relief. Extremely Rare. Extremely Fine.
The great Temple of Delphi was destroyed in 373 BC by an earthquake (apparently the same seismic activity, followed by a tsunami, which wiped the Achaean city of Helike from both the map and history). Charged with the support and care of the Temple of Delphi and the Temple of Demeter (at Anthela), the members of the Amphiktyonic League responded immediately. The efforts to rebuild the temple, though, were often stalled. One of the greatest obstacles was brought on by a quarrel between two league members, Phokis and Thebes.
In 362 BC, Phokis turned down Thebes' request to send troops for the Mantinea campaign. Five years later, Thebes saw its chance to punish Phokis. Athens was entangled in the Social War and the Phokian ally Alexander of Pherai was dead. In 357 BC, Thebes, which now dominated the Amphiktyonic League, brought Phokis before the member states and levied a charge of sacrilege for the illegal cultivation of sacred land in Kirra. An unjustifiably high fine was imposed on Phokis. Raising a mercenary army with funds provided by Sparta, which had also been harshly fined by the League, the Phokians occupied Delphi; then defeated a Lokrian expedition sent against them. The League's council members declared a Sacred War. In 346 BC, Phokis was defeated and expelled from the Amphiktyonic League, and its two votes were given to Philip II and Macedon, who had helped in their defeat. Work resumed at Delphi. In 338/36 BC, the League opted to melt down the temple treasury silver and mint a new series of coinage to finance reconstruction. Staters, drachms and hemidrachms were struck, and their types were indicative of the two temples under the League's protective mantle. The rebuilt Temple of Delphi was finished in 330/29 BC.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 40,000.
|
| |
| Realized $60,375 |
