Apollo / Man-headed Bull
Stiela (Sicily) - Litra
Description
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo to left; to left, aquatic branch
Reverse: Forepart of man-headed bull to left
Very rare. Dark tone and very fine. Though commonly identified as a river god, Mirone (1926) argued the obverse is more likely Apollo, noting the close stylistic similarity to contemporary laureate Apollo heads from Katane by the 'Master of the Leaf' and engraver Herakleidas. The head lacks typical river god characteristics such as horns, bull ears, or a river name in the nominative case. The aquatic branch may be Ceratophyllum demersum, endemic to Sicily.
Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | Silver |
| Issuer | Stiela |
| Ruling Authority | Unknown |
| Period of Issue | 405 BC - 405 BC |
| Weight | 0.78 g |
| Diameter | 12 mm |
| Orientation | ↑↑ 6h |
| Denomination | Litra |
| Standard | Sicilian Litra |
| References | de Luynes #1141; SNG ANS Add. #1367; Manganaro, Mikrà kermata #pl. 6, 92; Campana CNAI #4 |
Provenance
| Location | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar | The Collection of Greek Coins of a Man in Love with Art | - |
| United Kingdom | Oct 12, 2025 | |
| United States | Lelouch Collection | Current |