Extremely Rare

CNG 103, Lot: 216. Estimate $1000. Sold for $8000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MYSIA, Kyzikos. 5th-4th centuries BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10mm, 2.65 g). Figure, wearing armor and holding transverse scepter, standing left on tunny left, in pose of acclamation / Quadripartite incuse square. Triton XIII, lot 175 (same dies); Roma IX, lot 337 (same dies); otherwise unpublished in the standard references. Good VF, lightly toned, a bit of die rust. Extremely rare, the third known specimen.

On this example, unlike the two previously known specimens, we can confirm that the figure is standing on a tunny. For a recent study on this interesting issue, see I. Touratsoglou, “Macedonians in Kyzikos. The Evidence from an Electrum Hekte” in P. Valavanis and E. Manakidou, eds., EΓPAΦΣEN KAI EΠOIEΣEN: Essays on Greek Pottery and Iconography in Honour of Professor Michalis Tiverios (Thessaloniki: University Studio Press, 2014). Touratsoglou dates the issue to circa 340-330 BC, linking it to the expedition of Parmenio, who was sent by Philip II of Macedon to free the Greek cities Asia Minor.