Shield Series

Triton XXI, Lot: 485. Estimate $30000. Sold for $40000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Uncertain. Circa 600-550 BC. EL Stater (19mm, 16.49 g). Phokaic standard. Lion standing right, head facing; raised square above; all on convex circle (shield?) / Two incuse squares of unequal size. Unpublished, but cf. Kunstfreund 1 for a Phokaic stater with a lioness standing and similar punches. Good VF, toned. Unique.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 92 (23 May 2016), lot 200.

This lot and the following two lots, all struck on the Phokaic standard, feature designs placed on raised roundels or shields. These coins may be part of a single series, perhaps all from the same mint, unified by the shield theme and the common weight standard. Two other coins in the same apparent series appeared in NAC Auction 92: lot 203 (ram on shield) and lot 209 (stag forepart on shield). Further research is called for to identify other types in this series and to search for any links in the reverse punches.