Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 165. Estimate CHF12500.  Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.  Sold For CHF17000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ISLANDS off ATTICA, Aegina. Circa 480-457 BC. Stater (Silver, 12.36 g). Sea turtle with line of pellets down the back of its shell. Rev. Square incuse with large skew pattern. Milbank Pl. I, 15. SNG Copenhagen 507. A remarkably nice example, toned and well struck in high relief. Extremely fine.

The earlier 5th century staters of Aegina were used over a very long period and are normally found quite worn; not only that, they were struck in such haste that their centering is often defective. This piece was not only well struck, but was also buried very shortly after it was issued and is in unusually nice condition.