Triton XVI, Lot: 437. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

TROAS, Gergis. 4th century BC. AR Hemidrachm (11mm, 2.11 g, 2h). Sphinx seated right / Facing gorgoneion within incuse circle. SNG von Aulock –; SNG Copenhagen –; SNG Ashmolean –; SNG München –; BMC –; Boston MFA 2324 (unattributed); SNG Fitzwilliam 4614 (unattributed); CNG 73, lot 299; Helios 2, lot 144. VF, toned, granular surfaces. Extremely rare, the fifth known.

In the early-mid fifth century BC, Abydos and Kebren used a very similar reverse type on their coinages, paired with their civic badge on the obverse, an eagle (Abydos) or ram’s head (Kebren). Kebren’s coins of this type typically do not include the city ethnic. Likewise, the present coin employs the city’s badge, a sphinx, on the obverse, a stylistically similar gorgoneion on the reverse, and no ethnic. Interestingly, the existence of now three cities in the Troad striking a common coinage suggests that there may have been a monetary alliance or symmachy in existence among them. While it is possible that this coin was minted by another city, the fabric and overall style are consistent with the early coins of Abydos and Kebren. Furthermore, the CNG 73, lot 299 coin appeared on the market alongside the subsequent lot 300, an early coin of Gergis with a clear ethnic.