Nomos 38

MYSIA. Lampsakos. Circa 412 BC. Stater (Electrum, 21.5 mm, 15.27 g). Forepart of Pegasos with curved wings left; all surrounded by a vine with several leaves and bunches of grapes. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Baldwin, Electrum pl. I, 11. BMC 9. BMFA 1582. SNG Paris 1111. SNG von Aulock 1292 var. (with Ξ below Pegasos). Well centered, nicely struck and lightly toned. Good very fine.

From a European collection, ex H. J. Berk BBS 150, 8 August 2006, 2.

Lampsakos was one of the most prosperous and powerful Greek cities of northern Asia Minor. By the mid fifth century it had become a member of the Delian League, originally formed in order to fight the Persians but subsequently used by Athens in her struggle for supremacy with Sparta. While earlier scholars thought these Lampsakene staters were struck in the early 5th century due to their archaic style, hoard evidence has proven that they are considerably later, dating to the last decades of the fifth century. After the critical defeat of Athens in its failed Sicilian expedition of 415-413, a number of members of the League revolted, and it was at this time that this coin was struck, in order to pay the expenses incurred due to the rebellion.