[Freeman and Sear] Lot: 3

CRETE. Chersonesus. Ca. 300–280 BC. AR stater (11.36 gm).
Head of the nymph Britomartis left, wearing pendant earring
Apollo seated right on phiale(?), holding cithara in right
hand. Cf. Svoronos 1, pl. iii, 17 (same obverse die, but
Apollo sits on tree trunk). 
This variant unpublished in catalgs. Extremely rare. Crudely struck. Nearly very fine

Ex Münzen und Medaillen 66, 22–23 October 1984, lot 115.

The Minoan goddess Britomartis (Sweet Maiden) was, like
Artemis, a virgin huntress who frequented the mountains and
forests. She had a temple at Chersonesus and another
not far away at Olous, where her cult statue was a wooden
xoanon supposedly made by Daedalus. 

Estimated Value: $ 2,500

From the Freeman & Sear Mail Bid Sale 13, August 25th, 2006.

Re-used by permission of Freeman & Sear, www.freemanandsear.com.