Cyclades, Naxos (c. 500 BC), Silver Stater, 12.18 gms., kantharos, wreathed with ivy-leaves, another ivy-leaf projecting from the top, a bunch of grapes hanging from each handle, rev. quadripartite incuse square (BMC 1-3; cf ACGC 120), extremely fine and extremely rare, perfectly centered and struck in such high relief that the coin is effectively a miniature relief sculpture

Details

Cyclades, Naxos (c. 500 BC), Silver Stater, 12.18 gms., kantharos, wreathed with ivy-leaves, another ivy-leaf projecting from the top, a bunch of grapes hanging from each handle, rev. quadripartite incuse square (BMC 1-3; cf ACGC 120), extremely fine and extremely rare, perfectly centered and struck in such high relief that the coin is effectively a miniature relief sculpture

Provenance

Purchased from Dr. Jacob Hirsch in 1948 for $697.50
R. Jameson Collection, no. 1305
H. O'Hagan Collection, Sotheby's, 1908, lot 483
E.H. Bunbury Collection, Sotheby's, 1896, lot 1249

Further details

Naxos is the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades; it was famous in antiquity for its wine and as a cultural center for Dionysus. It is possible that the ivy-wreath around the rim of the wine-cup on this issue was added just after 500 BC in celebration of the defeat of a recent attack on the island by the Persians.