Sale: Nomos 7, Lot: 133. Estimate CHF5250.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2013.  Sold For CHF4200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Phokaia. Circa 521-478 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 10mm, 2.54 g), c. 500 BC. Forepart of lion to left, eating prey held in its forepaws; above left, seal to left. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. BMC 21. Bodenstedt 36. A very rare variety. Attractively toned. Extremely fine.

From the collection of B. Feirstein, Numismatica Ars Classica 39, 16 May 2007, 66.

The obverse type used on this coin, a lion forepart tearing at its prey, must have been of great significance at Phokaia because it was used by the Phokaian refugees at Velia in Bruttium for their extensive late 6th and earlier 5th century silver coinage. Interestingly enough, at Velia the type was invariably shown to the right.