PREVIEW: THE NEALE COLLECTION OF ANCIENT GREEK COINS: 25 SEPTEMBER

It has been said that coins represent the meeting point of art and science. If so, then the signed silver Tetradrachm of Kimon offered in this sale is among the greatest artistic masterpieces of numismatics.

Dating to c.406 and struck under the Second Democracy in Syracuse, the obverse shows the head of the nymph Arethusa canted slightly left, her hair fluttering radially as if submerged in water, with four dolphins swimming around. It is signed κιμων across the ampyx.

 

The reverse depicts a charioteer driving galloping quadriga left, the horses twisting in excited agitation, with a wreath-bearing Nike stepping across the reins towards driver. A toppled turning post lies below the horses’ forelegs, while a corn-ear rests in exergue.

Noonans’ specialist Bradley Hopper explains the outstanding nature of the coin: “One could talk at length about the balance of the composition seen here, how the radial hair fits perfectly to the flan, and Kimon’s genius in having the dolphins play through the hair so that the whole scene appears submerged; or the remarkable depth of the engraving, and the technical mastery which this required; or the vitality of the portrait, the dreamy eyes which captivate, utterly and completely, and the slight kink of the neck which imbues the whole scene with energy and life. Indeed, many have; thousands of words have been written in attempt to capture and convey the experience one has when in the presence of such a coin. It will suffice to quote from just two. Barclay Head called Kimon’s masterpiece ‘the finest representation of the facing human head on any coin’, while Colin Kraay ranked it ‘amongst the most delightful creations of Greek coinage’. Both were great authorities on classical numismatics, and both were right.”

In almost extremely fine condition, and perfectly centred with traces of residual lustre, the portrait struck in high relief is deemed “utterly captivating”. The estimate is £100,000-£150,000.