This silver tetradrachm from Naxos, Sicily, is one of the greatest classics of the ancient Greek series. All known examples of this coin are produced from a single pair of dies and it is believed to have been crafted by the master die-engraver known as “Aitna Master” named after the unique tetradrachm of Aitna in Brussels. The obverse of the coin depicts the bearded head of Dionysos (also known as the Roman god Bacchus), best known as god of wine, madness and ecstasy. The reverse shows a naked and bearded Silenos holding a drinking cup. This coin is estimated to sell for $125,000.Baldwin's
This silver tetradrachm from Naxos, Sicily, is one of the greatest classics of the ancient Greek series. All known examples of this coin are produced from a single pair of dies and it is believed to have been crafted by the master die-engraver known as “Aitna Master” named after the unique tetradrachm of Aitna in Brussels. The obverse of the coin depicts the bearded head of Dionysos (also known as the Roman god Bacchus), best known as god of wine, madness and ecstasy. The reverse shows a naked and bearded Silenos holding a drinking cup. This coin is estimated to sell for $125,000.Baldwin'sThis silver dekadrachm from Syracuse, Sicily, believed to have been created by the 'Demareteion Master'. The Demareteion series is the most famous, and among the most beautiful, of all the archaic and classical coins of Syracuse. The obverse of the coin depicts a charioteer with Nike, the goddess of victory, flying over. The reverse shows the head of Arethusa with four dolphins swimming clockwise around the outside of the coin. Estimated sale of $150,000.Baldwin'sPerhaps the rarest and most important of all the coins in the collection is the Pantikapaion gold piece. It features the head of a satyr (half man, half horse) on one side and a griffin (half man, half lion) on the other. This coin is estimated at $650,000.Baldwin'sOne of the most important coins ever produced is said to be the 'Poros' dekadrachm of Alexander the Great, which depicts the warrior king on both sides. The coins were minted to commemorate the building of two cities which marked a major military victory by Alexander in the Punjab in present-day India. Estimated worth: $150,000.Baldwin'sVery rare silver coin from Knossos in Crete depicts one of the most famous mythological creatures, the Minotaur, which had the head of a bull and the body of a man. This lot is estimated at $40,000.Baldwin's
A hoard of ancient Greek coins, some of which date from the 4th and 5th centuries BC, could fetch as much as $100 million at auction in New York.
The "Prospero Collection", which was started by Richard Seifert, the controverisal architect behind London's Centre Point skyscraper, contains 642 coins accumulated over several decades and is now owned by an anonymous collector who is putting it up for sale. Baldwin's, the London-based numismatic specialists, is presenting the collection for auction on 4 January.
The coins will be sold in the Vanderbilt suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.
"Artistically the coins rate among the finest examples of ancient art," said Baldwin's.
"Some are signed by artists who worked throughout the Greek world. Many are unique or among a few examples known.
"It is quite amazing to think that these miniature works of art were produced 1,300 or more years ago, have survived world and civil wars, crossed borders and been admired by collectors of all ages, speaking many languages."
Each coin depicts a god or goddess, great battles, mythical beasts, and much more.
Using descriptions and photos from Baldwin's, International Business Times UK looks at a selection of some of the most valuable coins in the world.
