Obolos 6

ISLANDS off ATTICA, Aegina. Circa 500/490-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 18mm, 12.39 g). Sea turtle with trefoil collar and line of pellets down the back of its shell. Rev. Square incuse with small skew pattern. Asyut Group VII. Grose, McClean, 6027. SNG Munich 544-545. An attractive, clear piece. Nearly extremely fine.

From the collection of a friend of the late Dr. L. Mildenberg, well prior to 2000.

Coins of this type, in good condition, are actually surprisingly scarce. While the early 5th century turtles with ‘large skew’ reverses are very commonly found (though often in poor condition), those with ‘small skew’ reverses are almost invariably found very worn. They are also absent from a remarkable number of major collections (including Boston, Copenhagen, de Luÿnes and Gulbenkian). It is possible that vast numbers were re-struck to make later issues.