Obverse: Chimera standing left, raising forepaw; ΣI below.

Reverse: Dove flying left, three pellets in field.

Sear: 2774. BMC: 10. 120-22. [Sikyonia, Sikyon 360-330 BC].

Diameter: 17 mm. Weight: 2.76 g.

A wonderful silver hemidrachm of Sikyon, a Greek city state in the northern Peloponnese. The obverse depicts the mythical Chimera, described in this passage from Hesiod’s Theogony;

“A creature fearful, great, swift-footed and strong, who had three heads, one of a grim-eyed lion; in her hinderpart, a dragon; and in her middle, a goat, breathing forth a fearful blast of blazing fire. Her did Pegasus and noble Bellerophon slay."

The reverse bearing an image of a dove, the emblem of Sikyon. An excellent example of this iconic coin, well centred with deep old cabinet toning.