CNG 112, Lot: 275. Estimate $500. Sold for $1700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of LYDIA. temp. Ardys – Alyattes. Circa 630s-564/53 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10mm, 2.39 g). Sardes mint. Head of roaring lion right, “sun” on forehead / Two incuse squares. Weidauer Group XV, 76–8 var. (four rays on “sun”); cf. SNG Ashmolean 748 (trite). VF. Well centered.

The style of the lion head here, with a “sun” lacking the four rays that are typical of Group XV, is more akin to the hektai of Group XVII, nos. 103–10, which have the inscription of Walwel to the right of the lion head. However, there is no indication of any inscription in the ample field on this example.