MACEDON. Mende. Circa 460-423 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 16.30 g, 10 h). Dionysos, wearing ivy wreath and himation, reclining on a donkey walking to right; with his right hand he holds a kantharos, propped on his right knee, and rests his left hand on the donkey’s right flank. Rev. ΜΕΝ-ΔΑ-Ι-ΟΝ Linear square frame enclosing a linear square divided into four compartments by beams studded with nails; all within a shallow incuse square. Noe, Mende cf 83 ( for the reverse ) and 85 ( same obverse die ). The obverse nicely toned and with a well-struck, and well-centered depiction of Dionysos of fine Classical style; reverse once heavily corroded and then completely recut in modern times . About extremely fine/ungraded.
Property of a Late Collector, ex Weil, 26 May 1986, 46.
The tooling/recutting of the reverse was not noted when it was sold in 1986. In fact, if the reverse was as well preserved as the obverse, which is of the finest possible style, it would definitely have been worth its cost price in 1988. Unfortunately, it isn't and it wasn't. As is, it would make a lovely one-sided pendant!
Price realized | 5'000 CHF |
Starting price | 1'600 CHF |
Estimate | 2'000 CHF |