| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 203 | Silver | Auction date: 24 March 2024 |
| Lot number: 136 Price realized: 750 EUR (Approx. 815 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Lesbos. Mytilene circa 454-428 BC. Sixth Stater or Hekte EL 10 mm, 2,51 g Head of Silenos right, wearing tainia / Confronted heads of two rams; palmette between; all within incuse square. Very Fine Bodenstedt 37; HGC 6, 963. The depiction of the Head of Silenos on early coins of Mytilene presents a fascinating numismatic insight into the cultural and mythological significance of the region. Silenos, in Greek mythology, was a wise and often inebriated companion of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry. His inclusion on coins suggests a connection to the Dionysian cult and the celebration of wine and fertility in Mytilene. The ram, commonly found on the reverse side of these coins, carries symbolic weight as well. In Greek mythology, the ram is associated with various deities, including Hermes, who used a ram as a sacrifice to the gods. Additionally, the ram is often linked to fertility and leadership, particularly in the context of the golden fleece, as seen in the tale of Jason and the Argonauts. On Mytilene's coins, the ram likely symbolizes prosperity, abundance, and divine favor. Its presence suggests a connection to agricultural fertility and the blessings of the gods upon the city-state. Furthermore, the ram's association with leadership could reflect the authority and power of Mytilene within its regional context. Starting price: 500 EUR |  |
