Freeman & Sear - Mail Bid Sale 15



      ancient classic artifacts coins numismatic roman greek 



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                        Lot: 81

                        (click on image to enlarge)
                        PHOCIS: . 356–346 BC. AR hemidrachm.

                        PHOCIS. 356–346 BC. AR hemidrachm (2.80 gm). Facing head 
                        of bull / Φ—Ω, laureate head of Apollo right, cithara 
                        behind. Probably Williams 390 (O.263/R.231). Lightly 
                        toned. Very fine 

                        Ex Albert M. Potts Collection, acquired from Gans, 14 
                        June 1963. 

                        Earlier coinage of the Phocians depicted Artemis on the 
                        reverse of the hemidrachm. Her displacement by Apollo is 
                        to be associated with the Phocian seizure of the 
                        sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi and the ensuing Third 
                        Sacred War, in which a coalition of Greek states sought 
                        to compel the return of Delphi to the amphictiony that 
                        traditionally governed it. The average rate of military 
                        pay at the time was a hemidrachm per day, but on several 
                        occasions the Phocian generals were obliged to increase 
                        the pay of their mercenaries. Diodorus reports that the 
                        Phocian war effort cost 10,000 talents, which was 
                        obtained first by confiscation of property, then by 
                        taxing the Delphians, and finally by appropriating and 
                        coining the temple treasury. 
                        Estimated Value: $ 150 



  ... Lot 81 sold for high bid of $200 [ $230, or approx 144.9 EUR, 115 GBP including the 15% buyers fee.] 


From the Freeman & Sear Mail Bid Sale 15, Closed June 27, 2008.
By permission of Freeman & Sear, www.freemanandsear,com.