Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 106. Estimate CHF3750.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Phokaia. Circa 521-478 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 2.61 g). Helmeted male head to left, with frontal eye and tendril ornament on bowl of helmet; below, seal swimming to left Rev. Rough quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 50. Very rare. Nicely centered and attractive. Nearly extremely fine.

This helmeted head, which must be that of a hero-warrior, is struck in high relief and is quite monumental in a subdued way. The whole idea of using just a helmeted head with no individuality as a type is quite interesting; that there is a head inside the helmet is clear from the eye that peeks out above the side piece.