Herakles Wearing a “Lydian” Style Lion Skin

CNG 105, Lot: 295. Estimate $500. Sold for $1500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Erythrai. Circa 550-500 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10mm, 2.58 g). Head of Herakles left, wearing lion skin; the lion skin has three rays emanating from its forehead and snout / Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. SNG Kayhan 737–8 var. (without rays); cf. SNG von Aulock 1942 var. (same); SNG Copenhagen –; cf. Boston MFA 1806–7 var. (same); CNG E-332, lot 59. EF, lightly toned. Well centered. Very rare variety.

An interesting variety of this type with the lion skin having three rays emanating from its forehead and snout, much like the earlier electrum coinage issued by the Lydian kings (see, e.g., Weidauer 86–9 and lot 360, below).