Greek Coinages, CRETE, Knossos: Stater, struck c. 425-400

Obverse: kνον: ithyphalic Minotaur running left, head facing, thin tail curled between legs

Reverse: labyrinth in the form of a swastika, each limb in a meander, star at centre; in the corners are four incuse squares

Metal: silver; Aeginetan weight standard; 11.89g

References: Burlington 203, this coin = Spencer-Churchill 169, this coin; Svoronos 4, pl. IV, 25

Condition: Good very fine, well centred and dark toned; with an especially evocative pedigree, being owned by the archaeologist who discovered the labyrinth-palace at Knossos £40,000-£50,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Phillips Family Collection of Ancient Greek Coins.

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Collection

Sir Arthur J. Evans Collection, Naville Auction XII, 18 October 1926, lot 1588
E.G. Spencer-Churchill Collection
SNC February 1944 (23793)

Exhibited as part of the Burlington Fine Arts Club’s Exhibition of Ancient Greek Art, 1903