AR Drachm TRACIAN ISLANDS, THASOS - circa 435-411 BC third type ″later classic type of fine style″

weight 3,69gr. | silver Ø 15mm.
third type ″later classic type of fine style″

obv. Balding ithyphallic Satyr with short hair and a short beard,
in kneeling-running attitude right, carrying in his arms a nymph
who wears a long robe and puts her right arm around the satyr′s neck
rev. Rough quadripartite incuse square

Thasos was a major producer of silver from the mines it controlled on the mainland and struck an enormous number of silver coins as a way of exporting it. From the end of the 6th until the end of the 5th century her issues of staters bearing a satyr carrying off a nymph must have been struck in enormous numbers. They were apparently extremely popular to the north in the Balkans, where very large hoards of them have been found, as well as to the East and in Egypt (they have also turned up in Italy). The archaic and early classical staters are among the most abundant coins of those periods to survive, though really fine ones of good style are rare. However, the issues of the late 5th century, made in a fully developed classical style, reminiscent of the sculptures on the Parthenon and at Bassai, are not only far less common but are struck by dies engraved by a true master. The satyr is old and bearded, but is quite civilized looking, compared to his much rougher brothers on earlier coins. He very carefully holds a rather soignée nymph, wearing transparent drapery: her hair is of the latest fashion (see the nymphs on the hemidrachm coinage of Macedonian Neapolis for close parallels), and while her hands are spread in a pro forma protest, her legs are demurely crossed! This is an exceptional example very rare in such condition.

♦ Masterpiece of exccelent style and with beautiful toning.
Very rare in this high state of preservation ♦
cf. NAC auction 124, Lot 99 (in vf/xf: SFR 3.500 + 23%)
cf. Walvis, auction 1, lot 40 (5 June 2026) (in xf : GBP 6.800 + 25%) BMC 32-34 | Weber collection - | SNG.Copenhagen 1018
Svoronos plate X, no.30 | Sear 1748 | McClean 4203
Pozzi - | Le Rider , Thasiennes 7 | Jameson 1068
Babelon, Traité p.712, 1130 (Pl.CCCXXII, 5) | HGC 6, 335
xf

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