LYDIA, Uncertain. 4th century BC. Æ (11mm, 1.77 g, 12h). Near VF.

Electronic Auction 545
Lot: 205. Estimated: $ 100

Greek, 12h, Bronze

Sold For $ 60. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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LYDIA, Uncertain. 4th century BC. Æ (11mm, 1.77 g, 12h). Wreathed head of Dionysos left / Kantharos; F (in Lydian) and S (in Lydian) flanking. Vögtli, Pergamon 524; CNG 100, lot 1487; CNG E-518, lot 202; CNG E-483, lot 188. Earthen green patina, cleaning scratches. Near VF. Very rare.

In previous sales, this issue has been variously attributed to either Cycladic Naxos or Syros. While both cities struck coins with the same types as on this issue, all of these cities’ bronzes consistently bear the first two letters of their respective ethnic flanking the base of the kantharos. On this issue, however, these Greek letters have been replaced by two Lydian letters, allowing its correct attribution to a mint in Lydia. Sardes is a possibility, as its spelling in Lydian was Sfard. However, not a single example was found in well-published coin finds from the extensive excavations at Sardes, so an attribution to that city would be speculative.

Closing Date and Time: 30 August 2023 at 11:08:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.