Lot 3359

Description

Ionia, Phocaea, (c.520-500 B.C.), silver trihemiobol or diobol, (1.252 grams), obv. female head (nymph) helmeted to left, rev. crude incuse square, (S.-, SNG Von Aulock 1813-5, Traite XIII, 18 (assigns to Phocaea), ACNAC Rosen 596-7). Good very fine and very rare.

See Herbert A. Cahn in 'Studies in Greek Numismatics in memory of Martin Jessop Price' in an article 'Ionische Damen' pp.59-63 Plates 15 and 16 describes a group from various museums and an important private collection. This was a study of the style of the female head on the obverse, this example is close in style to No.1 for the reverse but a new obverse die. The reverse punch is very early.