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This Anted Rig Tree
gold stater
is a beauty. The
branched emblem on
the obverse -
perhaps a depiction
of the legendary
'Tree of Life'? - is
clearly defined and
planted in a
flawless golden
field, the surfaces
of which are satin
smooth and
immaculate without a
trace of the usual
scratches, scuffs,
grazes and other
blemishes. The
reverse too is
absolutely
brilliant. The
three-tailed horse
is centrally
positioned with its
head completely on
the flan. We can see
the top half of the
spoked wheel below
and the king's name
is well centred
above the horse. Two
features of the name
stand out. Firstly,
the letter E looks
more like a letter
I, with only the
faintest traces of
its three arms
perceptible (compare
with BMC 3024);
secondly, the letter
D is represented by
a Greek theta,
implying that the
name was pronounced
Anteth, not
Anted.
Finally, can you see
the vestiges of the
little hidden face
immediately below
the name? We can.
All in all, we think
this is a stunning
gold. stater. They
don't come out of
the soil like this
every day. Chris Rudd
March
list.
19.1.09 |
