Lot 4550

Description

Lydia, uncertain king, issued before 561 B.C. and probably c.575 B.C., electrum hekte or sixth stater, (2.30 g) of Lydian-Milesian (Phoenician standard), probably issued at Sardis, obv. head of roaring lion to right, rev. double incuse punch, (S.3400, Boston Museum 1769, cf.BMC 16 [p.3], Weidauer Typos I Nos. 76-78, Bellinger [Essays to Robinson] Gordion Hoard No.1104, Class XVI, SNG Cop. 452, Linzalone 1089 [p.194], ACNAC Rosen -, ACNAC Dewing -). Nearly very fine/extremely fine and very rare.

Ex Baldwin's Auction, Sale No.31, 14-15 October 2002 (lot 34). The lion's head was the dynastic badge, and this manner of representation, with the herringbone mane and 'wart' on nose, was introduced into Greek art from Assyria in the second half of the seventh century B.C. It is one of, if not the earliest example of ancient coinage that utilises a design of some type on the obverse.