Lot 91: Thrace, Apollonia Pontika. 5th-4th centuries B.C. AR drachm.

Thrace, Apollonia Pontika. 5th-4th centuries B.C. AR drachm (16 mm, 3.1 g, 10 h). Upright anchor; A to left, crayfish to right / Facing gorgoneion. Topalov 6; SNG BM 157. Toned. Good very fine.

Apollonia Pontika was founded by Milesian colonists in the seventh century B.C. It was famous for its colossal statue of Apollo by the artist Kalamis, which was carried off by the Roman consul, L. Licinius Lucullus during the third Mithradatic War (73-63 B.C.). Despite its association with Apollo, in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C., the main types for the city's coinage were a gorgoneion - presumably as an apotropaic device to protect the issuing city from evil - and an anchor, emblematic of Apollonia's importance as a port city.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 91
• Listing #: 174729
• Closed: Friday, September 16, 2016 5:30:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $100