94, Lot: 53. Estimate $150. Sold for $175. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ISLANDS off CARIA, Rhodes. Circa 188-84 BC. AR Hemidrachm (14mm, 1.35 gm). Plinthophoric period, struck circa 125-88 BC. Radiate head of Helios facing slightly right / Rose, with bud to left; MELANTAS magistrate, jug in right field; all within incuse square. Jenkins Rhodian 88; SNG Helsinki 665 (same dies). Choice VF.

Evidence of the freshness of the dies used to strike this coin is the anomolous final S in the magistrate's name. As the die engraver ran out of room, he actually engraved the letter outside of the square incuse! Since the letter shows no significant die wear, the dies must have been recently engraved when this coin was struck. Another interesting fact that this peculiar feature illustrates is that the reverse die was not just the square and its contents, but also the surrounding field. A fascinating -- and quite educational -- coin.