Lot 1603
Macedonia. Olynthos, Chalkidian League, 420-355 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.3 g). Laureate head right of Apollo. Reverse: Kithara with six strings. SNG ANS 496; Dewing 1071. Extremely Fine.
The kithara was developed from the early lyre, which was a simple stringed instrument made by attaching two horns to the carapace of a turtle, itself used as a sound-box. Notice the elaborate tuning system on this kithara, with the plectrum hanging from a doubled strap on the lower right side of the instrument. The magistrate's name is below this ancient ancestor of today's orchestral string section.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $4,600 |
