Interesting Mint Improvisation

CNG 100, Lot: 85. Estimate $750. Sold for $3750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Miletos. Circa 600-550 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (12.5mm, 2.28 g). Lion reclining left, head reverted, within rectangular frame / Two square punches containing, respectively, floral and stellate designs. Weidauer 130 var. (designs in punches); Elektron I 64 var. (geometric, not floral design in one punch); SNG von Aulock –; SNG Kayhan 443; BMC –; Boston MFA –; Rosen Sale 275; Traité I 22 var. (designs in punches). VF, toned. Apparently struck on two hemihekte – twelfth stater flans joined together.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams, purchased from Classical Numismatic Group, March 2002.

The use of two smaller flans to make a larger denomination is attested elsewhere for this series (see Triton V, lot 1427 and Elektron I 62 for two staters struck on flans made in this manner).