CNG 91, Lot: 275. Estimate $500. Sold for $1700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Ephesos. Circa 600-550 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (9mm, 2.32 g). Primitive bee left / Two incuse square punches. Cf. Karwiese Series II.1, type 1 (trites). VF. Unpublished as a hekte.

Karweise notes two types for his primitive bee series (Series II.1), differentiated by the perspective of the bee. Type 1 displays the bee in profile to the left, while Type 2 displays the bee from above. Although he does not note any hektes for Type 1, hektes are known for Type 2, so the appearance of a hekte for the first type is not surprising.