Lot 1077
Troas, Skepsis. Silver Drachm (3.54 g), 5th century BC. Σ-KH-ΨI-ON, forepart of Pegasos right. Rev. Palm tree in square linear and pelleted borders, all within shallow incuse square. (SNG Ashmolean -; SNG von Aulock 7643; SNG Copenhagen 470; Dewing 2223 (same dies)). Rare. Toned. Extremely fine. Estimate $1,200UP
Ex Triton XVII (6 January 2014), 275.
Skepsis was originally an Aiolic city in Troas, but after 494 BC the city was refounded by Ionian Milesians who had probably fled the Persian sack of Miletos. Considering the involvement of Milesian settlers who would have likely brought the cult of Apollo with them, it is tempting to suggest that the enigmatic palm tree on the reverse of this Skepsian coin may represent the sacred tree under which Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis.
|
| |
| Unsold |
