Search


CNG Bidding Platform

Information

Products and Services



Research Coins: Feature Auction

 
Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1872. Estimate $200. 
Closing Date: Wednesday, 8 June 2005. 
Sold For $475. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANONYMOUS. Circa 10th century. Æ 19mm Weight-Tessera (4.17 gm, 7h). +PA LAION OLOTPA XON / ELA FPON. Bendall, Weights 19; Hendy, Studies, p. 508, note 295; cf. Göbl, Antike 234 (tetarteron). VF, dark green patina. ($200)

The weight of this piece, 4.17 grams, is notably higher than the specimen cited in Bendall and Hendy at 3.90 grams. The Greek legend is more problematic, since the meaning of olotracon is otherwise unattested. Bendall in his translation of the legend, “the old, unmutilated light-weight [coin],” renders the word as “unmutilated.” Another possibility is “unclipped, ” making this a hapax legomenon.