CNG 97, Lot: 246. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CARIA, Uncertain. Circa 500-490 BC. AR Stater (20mm, 14.62 g). Two dolphins right within linear square border / Quadripartite incuse square. Cahn, Poseidion –; cf. HGC 6, 1350–1; cf. SNG von Aulock 2744. Fine, toned, porous. Unique and unpublished with quadripartite incuse.

This coin represents a new type in the coinage that was traditionally attributed to the mint of Poseidion on the island of Karpathos. Typically, these coins feature two dolphins in a linear border on the obverse and a square incuse bisected into two parallel rectangular incuses on the reverse. The dolphins are usually aligned in opposite directions, though the von Aulock collection had a stater with the dolphins both aligned to the right. Recently, more specimens like the von Aulock piece have come to light (cf. CNG 96, lot 500), with some featuring a different incuse, a rough square (cf. Goldberg 75, lot 2470, and Roma 4, lot 384). This piece, also with an obverse similar to the von Aulock coin, adds another incuse type, a quadripartite square.

All of these coins had originally been attributed to Poseidion on Karpathos, but Cahn’s analysis of the issues bearing an inscription, ΠOΣ, has conclusively shown that this legend is not an ethnic, and thus cannot indicate a mint at that city. It is most likely struck at a mint on the coast of Caria, or one of the other mints that used this form of double rectangular incuse: Ialysos, Kamiros, or Lindos. The style of the incuse suggests that this piece may predate the previously known issues of this mint.