Ex Moretti

CNG 100, Lot: 89. Estimate $10000. Sold for $25000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Uncertain. Circa 650-600 BC. EL Stater (21.5mm, 13.42 g). Rough covex surface with irregular markings contained within an oval boundary (representing a shield?) / Two rough incuse rectangles. Basel p. 9 = Mildenberg, Münzwesen, pl. I, 1 (this coin); Linzalone LN1070; otherwise unpublished in the standard references. EF, crude, as made. Extremely rare, one of two published.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Athos D. Moretti Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 13, 8 October 1998), lot 572; Hess-Leu 31 (6 December 1966), lot 444.

This coin was used in the Basel catalog as an example of the earliest electrum coinage. There, it was attributed as possibly being from Samos, while in the sale of that collection by NAC, it was cataloged as an uncertain Ionian issue. Mildenberg considered it an early issue from an uncertain mint in Ionia or Lydia. The coin’s obverse form and incuse are vaguely similar to the definitively attributed early electrum of Samos (cf. Konuk, Electrum), but this stylistic similarity is insufficient, and this coin is not struck on the Euboic-Samian standard, where a stater weighs c. 17.40 grams. Linzalone likewise gives his example to Ionia, but also notes (without citation) that there is some precedent for an early Samian issue at a lower weight standard. In any event, it is quite unlikely that this coin is from Samos, and even an Ionian origin is not without question, as the findspot of both examples is unknown. Moreover, the weight standard of these two coins comports with the electrum staters that are attributed to the Thraco-Macedonian region. Rosen 252 may represent a hemistater of this type.