Lot 1050
Thessaly, Oitaioi. Silver Hemidrachm (2.90 g), ca. 344-280 BC. Head of lion left, crushing spear held in jaws. Rev. OITAI-ΩN, Herakles standing facing, holding club. (Valassiadis 3; BCD Thessaly II 489). Attractively toned. Choice very fine. Estimate $700UP
Ex BCD Collection (CNG E290, 7 November 2012), lot 56.
The Oitaians were a tribal people of Northern Greece named for their proximity to Mount Oita. This mountain was famous in Greek myth as the place where Herakles was burned by a poisonous shirt given to him by his wife. The poison destroyed his physical body but permitted him to achieve immortality and ascend to the gods. For this reason, the principal city of the Oitaians was named Herakleia (Trachinia) and the hero held a prominent place on their coins.
|
| |
| Unsold |
