Sale: Nomos 9, Lot: 145. Estimate CHF275.  Closing Date: Monday, 20 October 2014.  Sold For CHF340. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MYSIA, Parion. 4th century BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 14mm, 2.19 g 11). ΠΑ - ΡΙ Bull standing left, head turned back to right; below, razor with handle. Rev. Gorgoneion facing, surrounded by snakes. SNG France 1379. An attractive piece with an interesting symbol. Extremely fine.

The hemidrachm coinage of Parion is unusual because while the types (bull looking back/Gorgoneion) remain the same, they seem to change from obverse to reverse and vice versa following no discernible scheme. The symbol on this piece is termed a sickle by SNG France (”Faucille”) but it is, in fact, a razor used for shaving!