CNG 91, Lot: 284. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Phokaia. Circa 625/0-522 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.55 g). Head of bull left; above, small seal left / Quadripartite incuse square. Unpublished issue with seal above the bull. Good VF, some die rust. Apparently unique.

The bull is a common motif used on a few issues in the first and second periods of coinage at Phokaia. While the general style of the obverse is most consistent with Bodenstedt 48, in the second period, it is not substantially different from earlier bull types. What is probably most determinative of placement is the form of the incuse, which appears to be a plain incuse square with a few contours added. This is only consistent with the first period of coinage, as the incuses of the second period are relatively well progressed from an incuse square to a quadripartite incuse form.