Lot 1048
Thessaly, Larissa. Silver Drachm (6.03 g), ca. 405/0-370 BC. Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, wearing ampyx. Rev. ΛAPI, horse grazing right. (L-S group 6, head type 28 (O134/R2), specimen b = C. Lorber, "The Early Facing Head Drachms of Thessalian Larissa," Florilegium Numismaticum 91.2b (this coin); BCD Thessaly II 268-9 (same obv. die)). Beautiful iridescent tone and captivating style. Extremely fine. Estimate $2,500UP
Ex MMAG 95 (4 October 2004), lot 135.
Ex Athena Fund (Sotheby's Zurich, 27 October 1993), lot 501.
Ex NFA List 41 (June 1992), lot 43.
The beginning of the facing head drachms of Larissa has been associated tentatively with the conflict between the city and Lykophron, the tyrant of Pherai, over the control of the splintered Thessalian League.Although it has become a numismatic mantra that the facing head drachms reflect the imitation of the famous facing Arethusa coins of Syracuse signed by Kimon, more recent assessments of style and artistic quality of the Larissan issues has led to the conclusion that their facing head type should not be considered imitative, but a sign of fresh artistic exploration in Northern Greece.
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