Greek Silver & Bronze Coins

Sale 108    24–26 Mar 2015   State Library of NSW - Dixson Room   Sydney

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Lot 3309    Session 11 (9.30am Thursday 26 March)    Greek Silver & Bronze Coins

Estimate $200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $100

PALESTINE, Judaea, Hasmonean king Mattathias Antigonus, (40-37 B.C.), AE 19, copper multiple (four) prutah, (8.27 g), obv. single cornucopiae, inscription, "Mattatayah the high priest", rev. wreath with partial inscription within **[BASILEOS ANTIGONOU]*, (S.6105, H.482 (35), AJC I V var. pl.54, Meshorer 31). Off centred on the reverse, otherwise very fine and rare in this condition.

The use by Antigonus of the priestly title in Hebrew on the obverse of this coin is significant. His enemy, Herod, could not adopt this title, and could only employ the international language, Greek, in the inscription (Money) of King Herod. The propaganda value of such weighty coins could well have been a significant raison d'etre for Antigonus striking them. In comparison, the coinage of Herod was thinner. It is possible that a shrewd Herod struck lighter coins of a larger diameter to fool the public.

Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.

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Adjacent lots

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  • Lot 3308  

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  • Lot 3309   This lot

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    Estimate $200

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  • Lot 3311  

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