Lot 51: Thrace, Apollonia Pontika. Late 5th-4th centuries B.C. AR drachm.

Thrace, Apollonia Pontika. Late 5th-4th centuries B.C. AR drachm. Facing gorgoneion / Anchor; A left, crayfish to right. Topalov 44; SNG BM 162-3. Very fine.

In Greek mythology there were three Gorgons, sisters with venomous serpents for hair and faces so horrible that their mere gaze would turn mortals to stone. Two of the sisters, Stheno and Euryale, were immortal; their unfortunate sister Medusa, perhaps the ""ugly duckling"" of the family, was not, and was of course killed by the hero Perseus, who lopped off her head. Representations of gorgons are common in Greek art as their gaze was thought to ward off evil.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 51
• Listing #: 233968
• Closed: Friday, June 3, 2016 5:25:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $100