Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 117. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005.  Sold For $1150. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SICILY, Syracuse. Philistis, wife of Hieron II. 275-215 BC. AR 5 Litrae (4.49 gm, 6h). Struck circa 216-215 BC. Diademed and veiled head left; wreath to right / Nike driving quadriga right; MI above, faint F to right (partially erased in die). Burnett -; SNG ANS 890 var. (same dies; no MI); SNG Lockett 1015 = Pozzi 660 (this coin). Good VF, attractively toned. ($750)

From the H.B. Collection. Ex Dr. J.H. Judd Collection (Leu 13, 4-5 May 1976), lot 133; R.C. Lockett Collection (Glendining's, 26 October 1955), lot 920; Pozzi Collection (Naville I, 14 March 1921), lot 660.

This coin was struck from dies that were altered to change the control mark from F to MI. It is plainly evident that the F was erased from the die, and that the MI was then added to the upper field (the latter has a much stronger appearance than the other letters and devices on the die). The faint F is not readily visible in the published photographs of this coin, and was apparently overlooked before. An interesting transitional issue.