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Lucania. Thurium, c. 410-400 BC. BC. AR Distater

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,500.00 - 9,500.00 USD
Lucania. Thurium, c. 410-400 BC. BC. AR Distater
<Our item number 115658><B>Lucania. Thurium, c. 410-400 BC. BC. AR Distater &#40;15.42 g&#41;.</B> Helmeted head of Athena right; the helmet&#39;s bowl decorated with Skylla swimming right, her left hand raised; below, the neck flap with walking griffin. <I>Reverse</I>: Bull butting right, with V E monogram on rump; in exergue, fish to right. Cf. Noe B8; SNG ANS 957 for reverse die. Boldly struck up, the details of Skylla extraordinarily crisp and detailed, and among the best preserved. Even old collection toning, with hints of iridescence. Masterful art. <B>NGC graded About Uncirculated.</B> <BR><BR>Although not signed, the reverse die displaying the monogram on the bull is generally associated with dies engraved by the master engraver, Istoros. On his dies the bull is not merely a powerful creature, but almost an elemental force of nature. His work is considered by some to be among the finest produced for Thurium. Meanwhile on the obverse, although lacking the distinctive phi in the field above the helmet&#39;s visor, the signature of another famed engraver, Phrygillos &#40;who also definitely worked in Syracuse&#41;, the style of the portrait remains close to the work associated with that master engraver. These two, along with the Syracusan engravers, Kimon and Euainetos, produced what is unquestionably the finest numismatic art in the late 5th century BC. It is a measure of the wealth, affluence and prestige of the Greek cities in southern Italy that they could attract this talent. In fact, the bulk of the known engraver&#39;s signatures on ancient coins are to be found on the monies that originated in Magna Graecia and Sicily. <BR>Estimated Value &#36;7,500 - 9,500. <BR><BR>Our item number 115658<BR><IMAGES><P ALIGN="CENTER"><IMG SRC="http://www.goldbergcoins.net/liveauction/47jpegs/115658.jpg"> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.goldbergcoins.net/liveauction/47jpegs/115658N2.jpg"> </P></IMAGES>