Nomos 16

ISLANDS OFF THRACE, Thasos. Circa 435-411 BC. Stater (Silver, 22 mm, 8.99 g). Ithyphallic satyr advancing to right, carrying vaguely protesting nymph; to right, possible traces of the letter I. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Le Rider, Thasiennes 6. Same dies as Lanz 125, 2005, 179 and Nomos 3, 2011, 42. Well centered, attractively toned, and of refined classical style. Good very fine.

From a Swiss collection, formed prior to the late 1980s.

The satyr and nymph coinage of Thasos is one of the most common issues of the 5th century, thanks to the productive silver mines Thasos possessed. This piece, one of the uncommon later 5th century issues, bears a satyr who is a cross between the truly primitive creatures the Thasiote engravers portrayed early in the century, and the fully classical creatures that appear, normally, on dies of the period to which this coin is ascribed. This bald-headed satyr has power, but also sensitivity and, even, kindness. He certainly would not be carrying the nymph unless she wanted to be. It has been suggested that the letter Ι appears on the obverse (Α or Φ are more commonly found there); however, if it does, and there do seem to be traces of a complete Ι on this coin, for unknown reasons it seems to have been erased on the die.