I've certainly slowed down with coin purchasing in 2020, but today picked up a little treat from an Ebay seller at what I consider a bargain. Almost certainly inspired by Kimon's breathtaking work a generation earlier, the facing busts of Larissa come in a variety of flavours and price ranges that are attainable for the rest of us. So here it is - the reverse is in rough shape, but who are we kidding this purchase was all about the portrait =) THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 380-365 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 5.71 g, 5h). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, with grain ears in her hair / Mare in foreground and foal in background standing right. L-S series 6, type A, dies O1/R1; BCD Thessaly II 294 (same dies). VF, toned, reverse a bit rough. Ex-CNG 302 lot 69 (May 8, 2013)
..i concur with my peep peers, it's a fanstastic jewel i have none yet but its not from lack of bidding on them......that's a great way to start again!...i have just bought 2 yesterday meself, the 1st coins since last Christmas...i'll post when they arrive(if my camera will allow it)
The version with the foal is a premium item. I hope you will find someone who would like to trade you a solo horse in a condition you prefer.
@dougsmit I'll admit I didn't really consider the foal on the reverse when buying, but going through hundreds of archived images I do see it is uncommon. The condition of the reverse likely led to me getting the coin for what I did and I couldnt be happier.. I'm certainly not the type to trade this die pair for another in better condition but lesser style
I agree with the others that it's a lovely portrait, but I love this variety with the foal. I bought mine - not as nice as yours - because for the reverse. Another one, also chosen for the reverse variety, with the little plant below the horse.
Some value other measures of appeal (like style) over condition The die quality and personality in the series varies immensely from one coin to the next. They're all different. I like this one.
Very nice drachm, with a great facing portrait! Reminds me of the Rhodian coinage. Kings of Macedon. temp. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Drachm. Third Macedonian War issue. Magistrate Hermias, Uncertain mint in Thessaly (Struck circa 171/0 B.C). Obverse: Head of Helios facing slightly right. Reverse: Rose with bud to right; EPMIAΣ above, Z-Ω flanking stem. Reference: Price, Larissa, pl. LV, 247; SNG Keckman 795. 2.67g; 17mm
I like the Foal version, @Nvb . Nice coin, congrats, and a welcome package! I only have one from Larissa: Thessaly Larissa 344-337 BCE AR Obol 0.68g 9mm Nymph Larissa Horse Grazing SNG Cop 1 Gifted from @ancientcoinguru
Very nice @Nvb i love it when the earring is visible. looking at the coins posted here and at this type, in general, I am wondering: did celators review their final product? When the horse's head or butt is chopped off on 99% of the coins, shouldn't they have rendered it slightly smaller? Here's my headless sample, photo courtesy of cng
I couldn’t stop at one of these charming little gems - just purchased another Again I was drawn to the facing portrait which is full of life (I’m a sucker for those!) and BCD the pedigree is of course a nice bonus. THESSALY, Larissa. Circa 380-365 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 5.78 g, 12h). Head of the nymph Larissa facing slightly left, wearing grain ears in hair / ΛA-P-I-ΣAI, Thessalian warrior, holding spear, on horseback right. L-S Series 5; BCD Thessaly II 292; HGC 4, 446. Good VF, toned, some roughness, metal flaw on obverse. From the BCD Collection.
Another nice style, with a cool reverse. Great coin!! My Larissa drachm is merely acceptable - nice style, I think, but so worn it's a bit hard to tell. Its main positive is that I got it super cheap in a group lot. Here's a Rhodian didrachm which I chose for that reason. Maybe it will appeal to you too: Personally I find good style facing portraits quite difficult to find, at least at a reasonable cost!