Triton XV, Lot: 963. Estimate $100. Sold for $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Koinon of Thessaly. Marcus Aurelius. AD 161-180. Æ Assarion (20mm, 7.71 g, 11h). AVT M AVP ANT-ѠNЄINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; dotted circle / KOINON ΘЄCCAΛѠN, Athena Itonia striding right, hurling spear held in her right hand, shield on her left arm; dotted circle. Burrer, MA-G 3 var. (bust type); Rogers 96 var. (same). Good Fine, green patina; extremely rare and apparently unique (?).

This piece, with a different bust type than typical for this issue, also exhibits an unusual style and the dies appear to have been smaller than usual for the assaria. Perhaps these dies were intended to be used on an even smaller denomination, but were instead employed for striking assaria?