Greek Coinages, Abdera: Stater, struck c. 380, by the magistrate Philas

Obverse: griffin with pointed wing perched left on rock, right forepaw raised; cicada in field

Reverse: επι φιλαδοσ: Herakles wearily seated on rock draped with ion’s skin; supporting weight with left arm, while the right rests across his knee and holds club

Metal: silver; reduced Chian standard; 13.09g/3h

References: May VI, – [A276/R–]; Lorber 178a, this coin; BMC –

Condition: Almost extremely fine, toned and of superb style; this reverse die extremely rare and uncrecorded in the standard reference work £15,000-£20,000

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

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Collection

Ex Abdera Hoard, 1986
Sternberg Auction XIX, Zurich, 18, November 1987, lot 87
LHS Auction 102, Zurich 29 April 2008, lot 105
Nomos Auction 15, Zurich, 22 October 2017, lot 41

Philas’ ordinary ‘sitting Herakles’ Tetradrachms are celebrated for their high artistry; Lockett had one, as did Gulbenkian, while ‘Prospero’ felt it necessary to acquire two. The composition employed on this coin is quite distinct from that normally seen. Herakles does not sit stiffly upright, but rather reclines in a relaxed fashion, suggesting exhaustion following some labour. The hero’s limbs are spread outwards in way that is not only more naturalistic, but also one that opens the scene up, drawing the viewer’s eye horizontally across the composition. As a consequence our attention comes, eventually, to rest at the centre of the coin. No doubt, this was by design, for it is here that the artist has deployed his greatest technical skills on the foreshortening of Herakles’ legs, the detailing of the drapery, and the rendering of the creased abdominal muscles. All of these features are superb.