Archaic Obol of Ioulis

CNG 88, Lot: 271. Estimate $200. Sold for $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CYCLADES, Keos. Ioulis. Circa 480-470 BC. AR Obol (7mm, 0.78 g). Grape bunch / Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. Sheedy p. 27 and pl. 20, 1-2; Papageorgiadou-Banis Series I, v-xxiii; SNG Copenhagen 646; cf. HGC 6, p. 125. VF, toned. Rare.

The archaic coinage of Ioulis features a grape bunch on the obverse. According to Sheedy, the series of denominations that lack a secondary symbol (a dolphin to the right of the grapes) is probably not from Ioulis. Although Papageorgiadou-Banis is not thoroughly convinced, she nevertheless thinks there is ample reason for retaining both series, with and without dolphin, at this mint. At the same time, HGC notes both series in the introduction to the mint, but does not list the non-dolphin types in its catalog.