Lot 3079

Description

Ionia, Miletus, (c.570-550 B.C.), electrum stater, (13.962 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 each end and in centre, right square four dots joined by lines, (S.3439, £10,000; 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.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 67 (lot 1581). 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. It 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 Phocaic, 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 then rare type. A few additional specimens have come onto the market in recent times probably from a small hoard including, it is believed, this example.