Lot 3816

Description

Ionia, Miletos, (c.570-550 B.C.), electrum stater, (13.866 grams), obv. lion lying to left, head reverted, within rectangular striated border, rev. incuse rectangle between two small squares, within rectangle a fox to left, within squares cross formed pellets at left side and deer head on right side, (S.3439, [£10,000], Weidauer 126 var. (slightly different reverse punches); Trait‚ II pg. 22, 19; BMC Ionia pg. 183, 2 var. (types right); Boston MFA 1882 var. (slightly different reverse punches); SNG Turkey 440. ACNAC Dewing 2287 var. (same); Kraay & Hirmer 591 var. (same). ACNAC Rosen 577 [similar dies], Babelon I, 17 [pl.i,15], Head, B.V., Principal Coins of the Greeks Pl.I, No.7). Good fine/very fine and very rare, the obverse was originally struck as the reverse as some of the reverse die is visible on the obverse.

A similar example in our Noble Numismatics Sale No.57, 1-2 April 1998 (lot 729 sold for $13,200). One of the earliest coins. This coin was struck in Western Turkey in electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver. These electrum staters were made at three weight standards known today as the Phokaic, the Euboic and here in this coin the Milesian. The earliest coins have a design on one side and the reverse struck from three crude punches. Early in the sixth century B.C. as the coinage evolved, these reverse punches evolved (as present on this coin), into a design and pattern of one of the most interesting of ancient coins. The attribution to Miletus is fairly certain as the lion with reverted head remained the type of Miletus for another four centuries. It also shares this weight standard with Lydia. Hill knew of only six specimens of this rare type. An additional group of examples have come onto the market in recent times probably from a small hoard including, it is believed, this example.