SOLD
46,000.00CHF+ (7,590.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2009 Oct 07 @ 09:47UTC+2
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Greek coins, Sybaris, Nomos ca. 530-510, AR 8.03 g. Bull standing l. on dotted exergual line; in upper field r., NSKA. In exergue, MV. Border of dots. Rev. The same type incuse without ethnic. Striated borders. Gorini 8 var and enlarged p. 112 (MV in relief on reverse, this obverse die). Jameson 346 var. (MV in relief on reverse, this obverse die). Historia Numorum Italy 1730. Of the highest rarity, apparently only the second specimen known of this variety and the third of this type. A magnificent representation in the finest style of the period. Perfectly struck on a broad flan with a lovely light tone. Good extremely fine From a private Swiss collection. Reconstructing the history of Sybaris and its coinage is a task fraught with difficulty. The city was founded by Achaeans late in the 8th Century B.C. at an ideal location on a fertile plain on the Gulf of Taranto. The city apparently had a population nearly equal to Athens, had a defensive wall six miles in length, and Strabo says that as many as 25 cities and four native peoples had come under its authority. The coinage of Sybaris, which began sometime between about 550 and 530 B.C., supports the tales of this city’s wealth – so great that its name became synonymous with opulence. Not only is there an extensive series of coins from Sybaris, but incuse issues with the Sybarite bull (symbolising fertility, or the river god Crathis?) are known from Sirinos and Pyxoes in alliance, and from unspecified cities using the inscriptions ‘SO’ and ‘AMI’. Wealth at Sybaris seems to have been concentrated in the hands of the few, which caused an uprising to expel the ruling class. Some took up exile in nearby Croton, and after some poorly handled exchanges, the two states resorted to war; despite the larger forces mustered by Sybaris, Croton was victorious, and in 510 utterly destroyed the city after a siege. Many of the siege survivors fled to nearby Laus, a colony of Sybaris, and while there struck a coinage that also employed the bull design. About the same time, Sybaris was re-founded under the dominion of Croton, and not long after it gained autonomy early in the 5th Century, it was destroyed again by Croton in about 475 or 470. The city had yet three more incarnations. In about 453 it rose from the ashes, perhaps by some initiative of Poseidonia, only to be destroyed by Croton roughly five years later. Then, in 446 it was re-founded with help from Athens, which two years later drew colonists from throughout the Greek mainland; however, the Sybarites were soon expelled by the new settlers. At some point in this latter re-founding the name of the city was changed to Thurium, under which name it began a significant coinage of its own with Athena gracing the obverse. The fifth and final incarnation of Sybaris took place in about 440, when the expelled Sybarites founded a new city on the river Traeis. The site seems to have been identified, and the remains of a theatre show that it must have been a success, even if modestly so. Kraay’s suggestion in 1958 seems now to be generally accepted that silver staters and triobols formerly given to earlier phases were in fact produced by ‘Sybaris V’ in its new location. The early nomoi of Sybaris are usually inscribed VM or MV, yet there are rare and enigmatic issues of the period, such as the present coin, with the additional inscription NSKA or MVBAPSTAM. The meanings of these are a matter of conjecture, and we can only hope that one day the mystery they represent will be resolved through clever research or a fortunate discovery.
Auction Location:
Hotel Baur au Lac, Zurich, 8001, Switzerland
Previewing Details:
By Appointment:
In London from Aug 24 to Sep 18, 2009 at
Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG
3rd Floor, Genavco House, 17, Waterloo Place
GB-London, SW1Y 4AR
Phone: +44 20 7839 7270
In Zurich on Oct 6, 2009 at the Hotel Baur au Lac, Talstrasse 1.
Buyer's Premiums:
From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
0.00 |
Infinite |
16.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
The coins will be dispatched by registered and insured mail for the account and the risk of the purchaser. The purchaser is responsible for any dues or taxes outside of Switzerland and is advised to acquaint himself with the formalities.
Payment Details:
After the auction invoices will be sent to the successful buyers. Payment instructions are found on the invoice.
The sign-up for this auction will close 48 hours before the auction starts. Please make sure you sign up on time. Also, there is NO ABSENTEE BIDDING for this auction. Please plan to bid live during the sale.
English:
The following conditions are acknowledged by all persons participating in the auction:
The estimates are in Swiss Francs. The opening bids will be about 80% of estimate, unless there are higher offers. The purchase price plus a commission of 16.5% is due and payable in Swiss currency. For lots delivered in Switzerland, VAT of 7.6% will be added to the total (hammer price together with auctioneer's commission and sending charges). Gold coins (AV) are free of VAT. The total price is due after the final bid and payable on delivery. A default interest of 1% per month on the purchase price will be charged for delayed payments. Adjudication ensues after the highest bid has been called three times, and commits the bidder to accept the coins. Written bids have preference over room bids. The buyer cannot claim to act on behalf of a third person. The authenticity of the coins is unconditionally guaranteed, without time limit. All identifications of the items sold in this catalogue are statements of opinion and made in good faith. The coins will be dispatched by registered and insured mail for the account and the risk of the purchaser. The purchaser is responsible for any dues or taxes outside of Switzerland and is advised to acquaint himself with the formalities. The auctioneer cannot be responsible for contraventions. The auction is held in Zurich and any legal questions arising shall be determined in Zurich. A buyer consigning commissions or executing room bids acknowledges the acceptance of the above conditions. The usual conditions applied to auction sales held in Zurich are here reiterated. The above mentioned conditions are written in German, French and English; the only valid text is the German one.
German:
Mit der Teilnahme an der Versteigerung werden folgende Bestimmungen anerkannt:
Die angegebenen Preise sind Schätzpreise in Schweizer Franken. Der Ausruf erfolgt in der Regel bei 80%, sofern nicht höhere Angebote vorliegen. Auf den Zuschlagspreis ist ein Aufgeld von 16.5% zu entrichten; für Auslieferungen in der Schweiz erhöht sich der Endpreis (Zuschlagspreis + Aufgeld und Versandspesen) um die MWSt von 7,6%. Goldmünzen (AV) sind von der MWSt befreit. Der Gesamtpreis ist nach erfolgtem Zuschlag fällig und bei der Aushändigung in Schweizer Franken zu bezahlen. Für verspätete Zahlungen wird ein Verzugszins von 1% pro Monat in Rechnung gestellt. Der Zuschlag erfolgt nach dreimaligem Aufruf des höchsten Gebotes und verpflichtet zur Annahme. Schriftliche Gebote haben den Vorrang. Jeder Ersteigerer verpflichtet sich für die durch ihn getätigten Käufe persönlich. Er kann nicht geltend machen, für Rechnung Dritter gehandelt zu haben. Für die Echtheit der Münzen wird vorbehaltlos und zeitlich unbeschränkt garantiert. Alle Angaben im Katalog sind nach bestem Wissen und Gewissen zusammengestellt. Der Versand erfolgt eingeschrieben und versichert auf Kosten und Risiko des Empfängers. Im Ausland verrechnete Gebühren und Steuern gehen zu Lasten des Käufers. Es obliegt dem Erwerber, sich über ausländische Zoll- und Devisenvorschriften zu informieren. Die Veranstalterin der Auktion übernimmt keine Haftung für allfälliges Zuwiderhandeln gegen solche Vorschriften. Erfüllungsort und Gerichtsstand im Verhältnis zwischen der Veranstalterin und dem Erwerber ist Zürich. Die Abgabe eines schriftlichen oder mündlichen Gebotes bedeutet gleichzeitig die Anerkennung der Auktionsbedingungen. Im übrigen kommen die ortsüblichen Gantbedingungen zur Anwendung. Vorliegende Bedingungen liegen in deutscher, französischer, italienischer und englischer Fassung auf. Bei Meinungsverschiedenheiten ist die deutsche Fassung massgebend.
French:
En participant à la vente, les conditions suivantes sont considérées comme acceptées:
Les prix indiqués sont des prix estimatifs en francs suisses. La vente débute en principe à 80% du prix d'estimation, pour autant qu'il n'y ait pas d'offres plus élevées. Sur le prix d'adjudication une majoration de 16.5% est prélevée. En cas de livraison en Suisse, le prix total (prix d'adjudication + majoration et frais d'expédition) est augmenté de la TVA de 7,6%. Les monnaies en or (AV) ne sont pas sujettes à la TVA. Le prix total, y compris les taxes, est payable en francs suisses à la réception de la marchandise. Un intérêt de 1% par mois sera facturé pour tout retard. L'adjudication a lieu après le 3e rappel de l'offre la meilleure et oblige l'acheteur à prendre son acquisition. A prix égal, les offres écrites ont la priorité. Chaque participant à la vente s'oblige pour les achats effectués par lui-même. Il ne peut faire valoir avoir agi pour un tiers. Nous garantissons l'authenticité des monnaies sans condition et sans aucune limite de temps. Les indications de notre catalogue ont été faites en toute science et conscience. L'envoi se fait sous pli recommandé, assuré, aux frais et risques du destinataire. Toutes taxes ou impôts prélevés à l'étranger sont à la charge du destinataire. L'acquéreur doit lui-même s'informer des prescriptions douanières et des taxes du pays d'importation. La maison organisatrice de la vente ne peut être tenue pour responsable au cas ou ces prescriptions ne seraient pas respectées. Le domicile juridique entre l'organisatrice et les acheteurs est Zurich, ceci en cas de différences. La remise d'une offre écrite ou verbale signifie en même temps l'acceptation des conditions précitées de vente aux enchères. Les conditions locales de mise aux enchères seront appliquées et celles-ci sont disponibles dans les langues allemande, française, italienne et anglaise. En cas de différences d'interprétation, le texte allemand fait foi.
Italian:
La partecipazione alla vendita all'asta comporta l'accettazione integrale delle seguente condizioni:
I prezzi indicati rappresentano la stima in franchi svizzeri. Se non sono pervenute offerte più elevate, l'inizio di battuta d'asta corrisponde generalmente all' 80% circa dello stesso. Al prezzo di aggiudicazione verrà aggiunto un diritto d'asta del 16.5%. Per le consegne all'acquirente in territorio svizzero sarà aggiunta al prezzo totale (prezzo di aggiudicazione + diritto d'asta e spese di spedizione) il 7,6% d'IVA. Le monete in oro (AV) non sono soggette al pagamento dell' IVA. L'importo complessivo sarà esigibile alla consegna dei lotti e pagabile in franchi svizzeri. In caso di ritardo nel pagamento sarà applicato un interesse dell'1% al mese sul totale dovuto. L'aggiudicazione avviene dopo la terza chiamata della migliore offerta ed obbliga l'offerente ad accettarla. In caso di parità di offerte, avrà la precedenza quella effettuata per corrispondenza. Ogni partecipante alla vendita all'asta è personalmente responsabile degli acquisti effettuati: pertanto egli non può pretendere di avere agito per conto di terzi. Gli oggetti offerti in vendita sono garantiti autentici senza limiti di tempo. L'invio degli oggetti viene di regola effettuato in plico postale raccomandato a spese ed a rischio del destinatario, il quale, se residente all'estero, dovrà assumere a proprio carico ogni eventuale tassa o imposta applicata nel paese di residenza. E' onere dell'acquirente d' informarsi sulle prescrizioni doganali e valutarie del paese d' importazione e la società organizzatrice della vendita all'asta non può essere ritenuta responsabile nel caso in cui esse non vengano rispettate. In caso di controversia è competente il foro di Zurigo. L'inoltro di un'offerta scritta o verbale implica l'accettazione senza riserve delle presenti condizioni d'asta. Saranno inoltre applicabili le consuetudini locali sulle vendite all'asta, il testo delle quali è disponibile nelle lingue tedesca, francese e inglese: in caso di divergenze di interpretazione farà fede il testo in lingua tedesca.