CNG 102, Lot: 422. Estimate $1000. Sold for $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LESBOS, Mytilene. Circa 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10.5mm, 2.51 g, 7h). Bearded head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath / Confronted calf heads; palmette above; all within incuse square. Bodenstedt Em. 50; HGC 6, 976 corr. (palmette not always present). Good VF, slightly soft strike.

The coins of Bodenstedt emission 50 are of two varieties, with or without the palmette on reverse. Both types are rare, each being struck from only one reverse die. This coin is one of 2-3 known of the palmette variety that were struck before a significant die break developed on the reverse at 6 o’clock.