CNG 99, Lot: 173. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 550-500 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10mm, 2.63 g). Head of panther facing; tunny to left / Quadripartite incuse square. Von Fritze I 43 var. (tunny to right); SNG France –; Boston MFA 1411 var. (tunny to right); SNG von Aulock –; Nomos FPL (2015), no. 43 (same obv. die). Good VF. Very rare variant.

This issue is not only unusual for the placement of the tunny on the left of the facing head, but also for the shape of the ear on the feline. Typically, the ear is depicted, on all denominations of von Fritze 43, with pointed ears, where here they are rounded. Although this is likely the result of the liberty of the engraver, one wonders whether this might be an attempt to depict a totally different animal, such as a bear.