KYRENAICA. Kyrene. Circa 475-435 BC. Drachm (Silver, 14 mm, 3.29 g, 12 h), Asiatic standard. Silphion plant with two pairs of leaves and fruits. Rev. K-[Y]-R-A Head of the nymph Kyrene to right, her hair tied up in a krobylos that is bound up; all within dotted circle within incuse square. BMC 47 and pl. VI, 6. Boston MFA 1311 var. (dotted square on reverse). Buttrey -. SNG Copenhagen 1176 var. (dotted square on reverse). Very rare. Slightly rough and minor deposits and with a die break on the reverse, otherwise, nearly very fine.



The rendering of the nymph Kyrene on this coin is strongly influenced by representations of Arethousa from Syracuse during the late Deinomenid Tyranny and the early Second Democracy. The dotted circle in particular recalls the famous Demareteion issue dated to around 465 BC.