Transition from Incuse Reverse to Relief Reverse

Triton XX, Lot: 261. Estimate $1000. Sold for $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LESBOS, Mytilene. Circa 455/4 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10.5mm, 2.53 g, 1h). Facing gorgoneion / Head of lynx facing within incuse square. Cf. Bodenstedt Em. 53.2; cf. HGC 6, 952; SNG von Aulock –; Boston MFA –; BMC –; cf. Traité II 2146; cf. de Luynes 2550 (all with incuse head of lynx). Good VF. Unpublished with lynx in relief.

The appearance of this piece suggests that Bodenstedt emission 53.2 is among the last issues with an incuse reverse type, while the present piece is among the earliest of the issues with a reverse type in relief.