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LOKRIS, Opuntia. AR Stater (11.99 gms), ca. 380-338 BC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:10.00 USD Estimated At:2,150.00 - 3,000.00 USD
LOKRIS, Opuntia. AR Stater (11.99 gms), ca. 380-338 BC.
NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER), HIGH BID WAS
1,100.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2023 Nov 16 @ 16:00UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
Phone Number for Telephone bids during the live auction:
561-203-9502
NGC VF, Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5 *Fine Style. BCD Lokris-63; Gulbenkian-492. Obverse: Head of Demeter left, wearing triple pendant earring and necklace; Reverse: Ajax the Younger advancing right, nude but for helmet, holding sword and shield, interior of shield decorated with palmette and leaping lion, Boeotian helmet below. The reverse of this intriguing coin features Ajax the Lesser, a prominent figure hailing from Locris Opuntia, who played a pivotal role in the Trojan War by commanding a fleet of 40 ships. However, his post-war fate and the repercussions of his actions added layers of complexity to his legacy. Following the fall of Troy, an unsettling accusation surfaced against Ajax. It was Odysseus who claimed that Ajax had violated the sanctuary of Athena by assaulting Cassandra. This grievous act was believed to have incurred the wrath of Athena upon Ajax and his fellow countrymen. Tragically, Ajax met his end during the treacherous return voyage from Troy, marking a somber conclusion to his life.The challenges didn't end with Ajax's demise. The Opuntians, struggling against great adversity, eventually managed to return to their homeland. Despite the turmoil surrounding their leader, they continued to commemorate his memory through an annual tradition. Each year, they launched a ship adorned with black sails and laden with offerings in Ajax's honor, only to set it ablaze as a symbol of their devotion. This multifaceted tale not only highlights Ajax the Lesser's significant role in the Trojan War but also the intricate web of mythology and consequences that surrounded his legacy. A true gem of the ancient world, Lokris was an important city for trade, arts, and politics. This coin perfectly represents an age of the most exquisite artistry on coinage. The obverse portrait of Persephone is awe-inspiring, and the anatomy of Ajax on the reverse is comparable to the sculptures of the contemporary era. This is truly a timepiece of ancient masterpiese.