Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 670. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $4800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Ephesos. Before 600 BC. EL Hekte (2.31 gm). Forepart of stag right, head reverted / Incuse punch with raised lines within. Cf. Wiedauer 35 = Traité pl. II, 18 = Robinson, "Some Electrum and Greek Gold Coins," ANS Centennial Publication, pl. XXIX, 3B = BMC Ionia pg. 47, 4 (type left with three pellets before); Boston MFA -; SNG von Aulock -. VF. Extremely rare, third known hekte of Phanes. ($5000)

These electrum coins mark the first appearance of the stag of Artemis as a civic badge of Ephesos, and are fromthe same issue as the famous "Phanes" stater and trite, the earliest named coinage. The tiny 1/48 staters are struck from the same dies as the hemihektes with forepart of stag.