Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 130. Estimate CHF16000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF18000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Phokaia. c. 525 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.59 g). Head of eagle to left with frontal eye and hooked beak; dotted neck truncation; below, seal swimming to left. Rev. Irregular incuse square. Bodenstedt -. Unpublished, except for Nomos I (2009), 105. Extremely rare, one of perhaps two or three known examples.. Extremely fine.

From the SF Collection, USA, ex Gemini VI, 10 January 2010, 200.

This exceptional piece, which was unknown to Bodenstedt, should date to the late 6th century (Bodenstedt’s dates are generally thought to be high). For a similar but slightly later eagle head, see the issues of Cypriot Paphos (as ACGC 1088 and Traité II, 1278 ff.) but these are somewhat more fussily done and lack the piercing look this eagle has.