Sale: Triton VIII, Lot: 444. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 10 January 2005.  Sold For $35000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Uncertain. Circa 650-600 BC. EL Half Stater (7.19 gm). Milesian standard. Figural type. Forepart of roaring lion on left and male bust on right vis-à-vis, on a striated field / Two rough incuse square punches separated by a cleft. Cf. Jonathan P. Rosen Collection (Münzen und Medaillen 72, 6 October 1987), lots 19 (Trite with male bust only visible; same obverse die and both reverse punches) and 28 (Hekte with male bust only visible, same obverse die and one reverse punch). Good VF. Unique and unpublished as a half stater. ($5000)

See lot 443 for more information on the this die-linked group of early electrum.