CNG 106, Lot: 405. Estimate $1000. Sold for $3250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LYDIA, Uncertain. 6th century BC. EL Trite – Third Stater (12.5mm, 4.71 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. Forepart of lion left / Double incuse square punch. Cf. Spier 9–11 (smaller denominations, but one punch [P4] on each is also used for the present coin); cf. Weidauer 57–8 (staters); SNG Kayhan 1735; cf. CNG 85, lot 440 (hekte, one same punch [P4]). Near VF, toned. Extremely rare as a trite, only the Kayhan piece published.

Through an examination of punches used, Spier linked this issue with a lion forepart to another featuring a boar’s head. It is possible that the Kayhan piece is from a separate issue, as it has a subtly different style, and none of the punches used for that coin are used among the die-linked coins.