Lot 2453
Elis, Olympia. 95th Olympiad. Silver Stater (12.10g), ca. 400 BC. Long considered the most powerful animal effigy on Greek coinage. Unsigned, but by the artist Da…. Eagle's head left; below, large white poplar leaf. Reverse [F-A], thunderbolt with wings above and volutes below; all within olive-wreath. Seltman 150 same dies; Gulbenkian 541, same obverse die; Kraay-Himer 500, reverse die flawed. Very Rare. Very Fine.
The obverse die used to strike this coin was recut twice, this being from the original die state. On this coin, the obverse die is paired with reverse die γσ, which is only noted being paired with obverse die BS. Thus, this coin represents a previously unknown die pairing and is important because it shows the continuity from obverse die BS to BT, and also confirms the statement in the BCD catalogued that die BT "was the successor to die BS, signed by Da…". Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000
Ex The Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection, Sotheby's NY, June 19-20, 1991, lot 286;; Ex NFA V, 1978, lot 119; Ex R. A. van Every Collection. Bank Leu 15, 1976, lot 252.
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| Realized $6,900 |
