The Stack’s Bowers Galleries New York International Auction is rapidly
growing, as rarities from around the globe and the ancient world are consigned.
Today’s preview coin is from the Magna Graecia colony on Sicily, named
Leontini. Located near the eastern coast of Sicily, this is one of the few
colonies not located on the coast, but about six miles inland. Similar to
Catane and the regional powerhouse Syracuse, Leontini also enjoyed a
flourishing of numismatic artistry at the end of the fifth century B.C.
The obverse design prominently features the youthful visage of the sun
deity Apollo facing left, a laurel crown atop his head. This example displays
lovely golden apricot tone around the portrait, reinforcing Apollo’s connection
with the radiant sun. The reverse presents a fearsome lion’s head facing left,
mouth open with a snarl (or grin). Four leaves surround the lion’s head, a
laurel leaf at three o’clock, with barley corns at six, nine and twelve
o’clock. The ethnic “LEONTINON” can be found clockwise around the lion’s head
beginning at ten o’clock. This crisply struck piece is evidence of the
numismatic treasures emanating from the island of Sicily.
While we are no longer taking consignments for our January 2018 New York
International Auction, we are taking consignments of world and ancient coins as
well as world paper money for the May 2018 Collector’s Choice Online. We are
also accepting consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for
our April 2018 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. If you are interested in consigning
your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity)
be sure to contact one of our consignment directors.
