v49_0181 - CRETE - KNOSSOS Unité, (MB, Æ 27)

MONNAIES 49 (2011)
Starting price : 450.00 €
Estimate : 750.00 €
Realised price : 450.00 €
Number of bids : 1
Maximum bid : 450.00 €

Type : Unité, (MB, Æ 27)

Date: c. 150-67 AC.

Mint name / Town : Cnossos, Crète

Metal : copper

Diameter : 27 mm

Orientation dies : 12 h.

Weight : 14,26 g.

Rarity : R2

Coments on the condition:

Exemplaire sur un flan large et ovale, bien centré des deux côtés. Très beau portrait de Zeus bienvenu à la frappe. Frappe un peu molle au revers. Très jolie patine marron marbrée de rouge

Catalogue references :

Laffaille389 (cet ex.) - Sv.- cf. 160 - BMC.- - Cop.- - SNG. Bar636 var.

Predigree :

Cet exemplaire provient du stock de Crédit de la Bourse (1994), de la collection Maurice Laffaille, n° 389 et de la vente Monnaies et Médailles 76, 1991, n° 389 (900 FS)

Obverse

Obverse description : Tête laurée de Zeus (Jupiter) à droite.

Obverse legend : B.

Reverse

Reverse description : Aigle debout à droite, les ailes déployées.

Reverse legend : >L-E-R.

Commentary

Cet exemplaire est reproduit dans l’ouvrage de Pierre Strauss, Collection Maurice Laffaille. Monnaies grecques en bronze, p.97, n° 389. Ce type semble plus rare que ne le laissent supposer les ouvrages généraux.

Historical background

CRETE - KNOSSOS

(3rd - 1st century BC)

Knossos was one of the oldest cities in Crete. Mythical capital of the kingdom of Minos, the city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 14th century BC. Rediscovered in the 19th century, the city of Minos was excavated by the great numismatist AJ Evans. The city was rebuilt, but never regained the grandeur of Minoan times. The beginning of coinage corresponds to the re-establishment of Democracy at the beginning of the 5th century BC. Knossos had to win over its rivals Gortyn and Lyttos. In 346 BC, the Cnossians seized Lyttos, but had to evacuate it because of Lacedaemonian intervention. After the death of Alexander the Great, Crete fell under the rule of the Lagids.