Lot 95: Thrace, Apollonia Pontika. Ca. mid-late 4th century B.C. AR drachm.

Thrace, Apollonia Pontika. Ca. mid-late 4th century B.C. AR drachm (14 mm, 2.83 g, 12 h). Facing gorgoneion / Anchor; A left, crayfish to right. SNG BM 160-1; SNG Stancomb 37. NGC AU, strike: 5/5, surface: 4/5.

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 #: 95
• Listing #: 174733
• Closed: Friday, September 16, 2016 5:31:20 PM CT
• Estimate: $100