KYRENAICA. Kyrene. Circa 500-480 BC. Drachm (Silver, 12 mm, 3.59 g), Asiatic standard. Two silphion fruits set base-to-base; between them, pellet; to left and right, leaves. Rev. Facing head of a lion; all within incuse square. BMC p. XXVII, 38a and pl. V, 5. SNG Copenhagen 1172. Very rare and in exceptional condition for this difficult issue. Beautifully centered and of wonderful late Archaic style. Somewhat porous, otherwise, very fine.



The cities of Kyrenaica were known for frequently drawing inspiration for their coinage from the artistic traditions of Magna Graecia, the Greek mainland, or Asia Minor. This beautiful drachm from Kyrene features a splendid rendering of two silphion fruits on the obverse, while the reverse displays a facing lion's head. The coin thus combines a local motif on the obverse with a reverse design inspired by foreign coinage, perhaps from Samos or Rhegion.