Lot 26: Islands off Thrace, Thasos. Ca. 500-480 B.C. AR obol.

Islands off Thrace, Thasos. Ca. 500-480 B.C. AR obol (10 mm, 0.74 g). Satyr kneeling right, masturbating / Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider 4; HGC 6, 333. Well centered and the satyr leaving no question as to what he's doing. Good very fine. 

Ex CNG E280 (6 June 2012), 8. 

The satyr on these fracional issues of Thasos is normally shown in a kneeling or running stance, and thus the coins are often described as depicting a satyr running. In fact, that is precisely how this coin was described when it last appeared at auction. There is no ambiguity, though, as to exactly what act the satyr is engaging. He is kneeling and with his hand he clearly grasps the shaft of his phallus, thus he is masterbating. This cataloguer has literally handled hundreds of these small fractions and never once noted the satyr engaged in this activity.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 26
• Listing #: 205201
• Closed: Friday, March 15, 2019 4:08:20 PM CT
• Estimate: $100