Rare Greek Coin to be Auctioned in New York

According to the Reuters, the Dekadrachm of Akragas, which was minted in Sicily and dates to 409-406 B.C., will be sold for $2.5 million at auction on January 4 from a U.S. collection by the Classical Numismatic Group (CNG), an international firm that deals in ancient, medieval and British coins.

The price would make it one of the highest priced coins ever sold at auction, although collectors of extraordinarily rare coins have paid more than $5 million in the past.

The Greek coin, one of only 12 examples known to exist and only the third to come to market in a generation, measures about 35.5 mm (1.4 inches) and weighs 43.4 grams (1.5 oz). It depicts four horses and a chariot on one side and an eagle on the other.

CNG described the coin in its online catalogue as “a masterpiece of late 5th century Greek art” and “one of the most beautiful of all Greek coins.”

Bids will be accepted at a live sale in New York and online in real time for preregistered bidders via www.the-saleroom.com, CNG said.