The washed-out and overly-brightened auction pictures for this one were really not flattering. I was on the fence about it for awhile, but finally decided to take a chance on it because it was a type I wanted and I thought the price was right for the condition. I was quite pleasantly surprised by how much better it looked when it arrived, as well as surprised in general, because I hadn't even received an invoice for it or paid for it yet. The most common of these satyr-and-nymph staters of Thasos are the two earlier issues that show a progression of style from somewhat archaic (with the nymph raising a crab-claw-like hand) to early Classical (nymph has a human hand). Mine, from a smaller, later series, struck between 412-404 BC, shows the satyr and nymph in a refined, fully Classical style. Colin Kraay in Archaic and Classical Greek Coins puts it this way: "The rude archaic vigour of the original type has disappeared; the forcible rape of the nymph by a bestial satyr has become a joy-ride in the arms of an almost wholly human abductor." I'm not sure I would go as far as to say that a "joy-ride" is being depicted here, but well, you guys be the judge. And, as always, please feel free to show 'em if you've got 'em! THRACE, ISLANDS off, Thasos AR Stater. 8.52g, 21mm. Circa 412-404 BC. Le Rider, Thasiennes 6; HGC 6, 334. O: Satyr advancing right, carrying off protesting nymph; A to right. R: Quadripartite incuse square. For comparison, my other Thasos stater, an archaic style example:
These are interesting types and one on my long term want list but I've yet to find one that sings to me. I like both of yours much but if I had to choose I think I like the archaic type better.
Here is an example I owned until recently gifting it to a close friend. When attributing it I discovered it had extensive obverse die linkages with other coins sold at auction. These coins appear to me to command strong prices even in lower grades. There must be strong demand for them. Thasos, Thrace, AR Drachm, 500-480 BC Obverse: Satyr kneeling-running right, carrying off protesting or struggling nymph; Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square; Size: 15.60mm, 3.2g; Grade: gF, lightly toned, porous surfaces, die faults This coin most closely resembles the style of SNG Copenhagen 1015 with which it possibly shares the same obverse dies, or at least a die from the same die-engraver, facts which could be verified were the plates of this particular SNG catalogue clearer. Searches in auction archives show this coin to have extensive obverse die-linkage with other coins. References: SNG Copenhagen 1014-1016 (same style as 1015); CNG eAuction 230, Lot 10 (same obverse die); H.D. Rauch Summer Auction 2009, Lot 97 (same obverse die); Agora Auctions Sale 40, Lot 13 (same obverse die); Gerhard Hirsch Nachfolger Auction 264, Lot 148 (same obverse die); Pegasi Numismatics Buy or Bid Sale 141, Lot 141 (same obverse die); Rosen 143; Le Rider Thasiennes 3; BMC Thrace 12; Grose 4200; SGCV I 1358; HGC 6 332
Great upgrade zumbly, both nice coins but I love your new Stater nice silver and great detail. I only have an archaic style Drachm about 500 BC.
I was attracted to the way this stater was cut so deeply that parts of the design go straight down leaving unusual striations. Straight on photos fail to show the deep relief properly. 'Archaic' means they hadn't figured out all the details of making these things yet. Since it was mentioned:
Thanks! I do like all three major styles and am on the look out for one like Doug's second coin to make a 'set' of them. I have also have this little trihemiobol I'm very fond of. This denomination also comes in a variety of styles. THRACE, ISLANDS off, Thasos AR Trihemiobol. 0.75g, 11mm. THRACE, Thasos, circa 411-350 BC. SNG Copenhagen 1030; McClean 4216 and pl. 152, 8. O: Satyr kneeling left in three-quarter view, holding kantharos facing. R: Volute krater, ΘAΣ-IΩN around.
