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Nomos 1

6 May 2009
Widder Hotel, Zürich
overview
Estimate: 3750 CHF
Hammer Price:  Unsold
Lot 20

SICILY, Himera. Circa 480-470 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 8.80 g 4). ΗΙΜΕRΑ Cock standing left Rev. Crab . BMC 24. SNG ANS 155 ff. Westermark, Himera 4. Well struck on a broad flan. Extremely fine.


Himera was in the far west of Sicily and was founded by Zankle c. 648. It was another Sicilian city that was very prosperous but then utterly destroyed by the Carthaginians in the late 5th century (in 408). It had long been an enemy of Carthage, especially since the great battle of Himera in 480, when Theron of Akragas and Gelon of Syracuse defeated a vast host of Carthaginians and their allies. Theron had taken control of Himera from a local tyrant and this coin, with the cock of Himera (the city’s name means ‘day break’ - a crowing rooster is a fine punning type) and the crab of Akragas, is a perfect symbol of the contemporary political reality.

Online bidding closes: 6 May 2009, 14:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 28 Mar 2024, 09:32:42 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:Unsold

Pre-Bidding closes on 6 Mai 2009 at 14:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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