Pamphylia, Aspendos (c. 370 BC), Silver Stater, 10.8 gms., two wrestlers facing, preparing for pankration combat, rev. slinger standing right, triskeles before, within incuse square with dotted border (SNG Von Aulock 4534, same obverse die), good very fine, rusty reverse die, a very rare and engaging type
Details
Pamphylia, Aspendos (c. 370 BC), Silver Stater, 10.8 gms., two wrestlers facing, preparing for pankration combat, rev. slinger standing right, triskeles before, within incuse square with dotted border (SNG Von Aulock 4534, same obverse die), good very fine, rusty reverse die, a very rare and engaging type
Provenance
Sotheby's Zurich, October 27-27, 1993, lot 749.
Numismatica Ars Classica 5, 1992, lot 161.
Lot Essay
Known from only one obverse die, this issue shows wrestlers engaging in the pankration, a no-holds-barred contest in which the breaking of fingers was permitted.