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Nomos 33

The Jonathan H. Kagan Collection
Zurich, 09 June 2024, 14:00 CEST

overview
Estimate: 1500 CHF
Hammer Price:  5500 CHF
Lot 1265

LESBOS. Uncertain mint. Circa 550-440 BC. Stater (Billon, 24 mm, 15.06 g). Two confronted lion foreparts, forming between, a facing lion's head. Rev. Rough incuse square. BMC 3. Gemini V, 2009, 121 (same dies). HGC 6, 1063. Traité II, 1 548 and pl. XIV, 3. Extremely rare. Lightly toned. Struck on an rregular flan, and somewhat porous, otherwise, nearly very fine.

From the Collection of Jonathan H. Kagan, acquired in Chicago from H. J. Berk.

In Archaic and early Classical times, the communal mint on Lesbos seems to have specialised in striking billon coins with 'puzzle' obverses. At first glance you would see profile calf or boar heads, but on second glance there would be a single facing head. That is the case here with the very much rarer lion's foreparts. This type must have been inspired by the Lydian gold coinage of Kroisos.

Online bidding closes: 9 Jun 2024, 09:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 29 Apr 2025, 08:41:22 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:5500 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 9 Juni 2024 at 9:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

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