445, Lot: 175. Estimate $750. Sold for $2200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Uncertain. Circa 625-600 BC. EL Trite - Third Stater (11mm, 4.60 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. Plain bulge / Two patterned incuse punches. Unpublished in the standard references. As made. Very rare.

The patterned reverse punches present on this issue are extremely similar to those found on the electrum coins featuring on the obverse what is commonly called the carapace of a scarab beetle (see following lot). The obverse here, though, shows no central bisecting line, nor any trace of the antennae at one end, that are visible on the scarab pieces. Thus, this coin may represent an earlier issue, where the obverse was merely a typeless bulge.