Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 455. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $355. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LESBOS, Methymna. Circa 500-450 BC. AR Tetrobol (2.62 gm). Hoplite running left, holding spear and shield / Youth on forepart of horse right, within dotted square. SNG von Aulock 1737. Fine. // Lot also includes an AR Obol (0.63 gm). Helmeted head of Athena right / Turtle in incuse dotted square. VF. Two (2) coins in lot. ($200)

The obol has been attributed to a Lycian dynast (cf. Klein 793), but the Athena portrait is identical to that on coins of Methymna (see e.g. the following lot). The turtle might be a connection to the "Pseudo-Aeginetica" series of fractions, whose origin remains a mystery.