Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 109. Estimate CHF3000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF6000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of LYDIA. Kroisos. Circa 560-546 BC. Light Hekte or one-sixth stater (Gold, 1.33 g), Sardes. On the left, forepart of lion with open mouth to right confronting, on the right, forepart of bull to left Rev. Two irregular incuse squares forming an incuse rectangle. H. J. Berk, “The Coinage of Croesus: Another Look,” SAN XX, 1 (1997), fig. 8. Traité I, 406 = pl. X, 8. A splendid, beautifully struck example of exceptional quality. Good extremely fine.

While the light gold staters of Kroisos are relatively easy to come by, the fractions are much rarer, especially the sixths. This piece is in every way extraordinary - both well struck and very well preserved. The confronted lion and bull on this coin are age old eastern symbols of power, with the lion being the emblem of the Lydian royal family.