Rare Kroisos Half Stater

345, Lot: 302. Estimate $500. Sold for $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of LYDIA. Kroisos. Circa 564/53-550/39 BC. AR Half Stater (16mm, 5.36 g). Sardes mint. Confronted foreparts of lion and bull / Two incuse squares. Berk 23; Traité –; SNG Kayhan –; SNG von Aulock –; SNG Copenhagen –. Good VF, toned, a little granular. Rare half stater under Kroisos.

From the Patrick H. James Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 54 (14 June 2000), lot 687.

Most half staters of Kroiseid type were struck under the Persians after their conquest of Lydia. These Kroiseid and Persian types are distinguished by their style, with the former being more lifelike, and the latter being more stylized (see lot 304, below). Kroiseid half staters are quite rare.