Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 114. Estimate CHF5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LESBOS, Unattributed early mint. Circa 500-450 BC. Stater (Billon, 11.08 g). Two calf’s heads confronted, forming a single facing head; between them, laurel tree Rev. Incuse square. SNG Copenhagen 285. SNG von Aulock 1682. Traité I, pl. XV, 14. Toned and very clearly struck. With a fascinating optical illusion on the obverse, unusually well-preserved. Extremely fine.

From the Z collection, Switzerland.

Lesbos seems to have specialized in unusual types that could be viewed in two ways: the two calves’ heads on the obverse either can be seen as separate animals facing each other, or as a single head facing the viewer (albeit with two necks!).