Silver Tetradrachm Rhodes Coin
SOLD
Carian Islands, Rhodes (c. 410 B.C.), Silver Tetradrachm,
facing head of Helios, reverse, rose, within incuse square, diameter
approximately 24 mm, weight 15.30g. Wonderful style, very well-struck,
attractively toned, extremely fine, rare.
Ex Numismatic Fine Arts, Inc., Beverly Hills sale XXV (New York 1990), lot 152
Ancient Greek coins which display facing heads are considered to be the very pinnacle of the ancient die-engraver's art.
This example of a silver coin from the island of Rhodes has an
outstanding facing head of the sun-god Helios rising up out of the
surface of the coin towards the viewer.
The facial features are well-proportioned and truly
three-dimensional, with the rises and falls in the contours of the
forehead, cheeks and chin all clearly represented.
The eyes gaze to the right and the hair flows freely.
This coin is a superb example of fifth century B.C. numismatic art.
