Lot 3153

Description

Lydia, uncertain king, issued before 561 B.C. and probably c.575 B.C., electrum hemihekte or twelfth stater, (1.162 grams) of Lydian-Milesian (Phoenician standard), probably issued at Sardis, obv. head of roaring lion to right, knob on forehead, rev. single incuse punch, (S.3402 [£300], BMC 17 [p.3], Boston 1770, Weidauer 90). Clear wart, good fine and very rare, being much rarer than the larger electrum third stater.

Ex Dr. Colin Burnside Collection, and previously from Noble Numismatics Sale 60 (lot 1714). The find of early electrum as a foundation deposit in the earliest temple of Ephesus included a number of twelfth staters of this type. This example although worn is well centred, and free of banker's marks which occur in this series.