Description
MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 410. Tetradrachm (Silver, 14.61 g 6), Olynthos. Laureate head of Apollo to left Rev. ΧΛΚΙΔΕΩΝ Kithara with seven strings. Robinson & Clement Group H, 18bis. SNG ANS -. Very rare. A particularly nice example of one of the earlier tetradrachms of the Chalkidian League. Extremely fine.
This fine head of Apollo is a superb example of late 5th century die cutting. Olynthos was the capital of a confederation of Greek cities in the Chalkidike in the second half of the 5th century BC. It was at the height of its power in the late 5th century; in the late 380s the league was defeated by Sparta but soon regained power. Frightened of his expansionism, Olynthos became the enemy of Philip II of Macedon who ultimately destroyed the city in 348. The modern excavations of the site are particularly important both for the history of Greek city planning and for the coin finds that are vital for the chronology of many issues of the 4th century BC. The head of Apollo on this coin should be compared with that on the nearly contemporary issue of Rhegion, lot 12 above: the difference in style and treatment is remarkable.
http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=358562
Description
MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 383-379. Tetradrachm (Silver, 14.57 g 6), Olynthos. Laureate head of Apollo to left Rev. ΧΑΛΚΙΔΕΩΝ Kithara with seven strings. Gulbenkian 420 var. Robinson & Clement Group M. With an elegant, boyish head of Apollo. Minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.
The series of Chalkidian League tetradrachms in this sale is a particularly attractive one. The heads of Apollo run from the severity of the end of 5th century to a full-blown late Classical handsomeness. Those late Apollo heads are what served s the model for those on the gold staters of Philip II.
http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=358563
Description
MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 358-355. Tetradrachm (Silver, 14.46 g 1), Olynthos, under the magistrate Olympichos. Laureate head of Apollo to right, a few locks of his hair falling down the back of his neck Rev. ΧΑΛΚΙΔΕΩΝ / ΕΠΙ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΧΟΥ Lyre with seven strings; below magistrate’s name. BMFA 581. Kraay/Hirmer 413. Robinson & Clement 115. SNG ANS 508. Well struck on a broad flan and of very fine style. Attractively toned. Reverse slightly off-struck, otherwise, good extremely fine.
As already mentioned, the head of Apollo on this piece is very close in feeling to those found on the earliest gold staters of Philip II; the same engraver very probably worked on both coinages.
http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=358564
Description
MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 355-352. Tetradrachm (Silver, 14.56 g 6), Olynthos, under the magistrate Ariston. Laureate head of Apollo to right Rev. ΧΑΛΚΙΔΕΩΝ / ΕΠΙ ΑΡΙΣΤΩΝΟΣ Lyre with six strings; below, magistrate’s name. Gulbenkian 422. Robinson & Clement 134. SNG ANS 497. A lovely coin of splendid style. Minor areas of flatness, otherwise, extremely fine.
http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=358565
