Very Rare Lion Head

454, Lot: 194. Estimate $75. Sold for $150. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Artaxerxes I to Xerxes II. Circa 455-420 BC. AR Siglos (15mm, 5.47 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. Sardes or subsidiary mint. Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding dagger in right hand, bow in left / Incuse punch containing small lion head left. Carradice Type IV, Group A (pl. XIII, 35); cf. Meadows, Administration 326 (Type IV, Group C); BMC Arabia pl. XXVII, 7 var. (no lion head); Sunrise –; Brindley 20 (same die and punch). Toned, compact flan, banker’s mark on reverse. Fine. Very rare with lion head in incuse.