Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 105 10 May 2017
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LESBOS, Mytilene. Circa 454-428/7 or 412-387 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10mm, 2.56 g, 1h). Head of Ares right, wearing crested helmet decorated with forepart of griffin / Head of calf right within incuse square. Bodenstedt –, new emission combining an obverse die of Em. 66 with reverse die ε of Em. 56. VF, lightly toned, slightly off center. Important new discovery.
This fascinating issue combining obverse die of Em. 66 with reverse die ε of Em. 56 requires a modification to the ordering of Bodenstedt's emissions, and a modification in the dating of these two emissions, since they were previously thought to belong to separate periods. Although emission 66 was quite rare previously, a number have come on the market in recent years, some of which were struck from this same obverse die. All of those examples, as well as the two in Bodenstedt, exhibit significant die wear to their obverses; thus the die must have been paired with the present reverse type first. The question, though, is whether emission 56 belongs to the later period, or 66 to the earlier? Unfortunately, neither emission is die linked to any other emission, so it is not yet possible to determine the answer.
This fascinating issue combining obverse die of Em. 66 with reverse die ε of Em. 56 requires a modification to the ordering of Bodenstedt's emissions, and a modification in the dating of these two emissions, since they were previously thought to belong to separate periods. Although emission 66 was quite rare previously, a number have come on the market in recent years, some of which were struck from this same obverse die. All of those examples, as well as the two in Bodenstedt, exhibit significant die wear to their obverses; thus the die must have been paired with the present reverse type first. The question, though, is whether emission 56 belongs to the later period, or 66 to the earlier? Unfortunately, neither emission is die linked to any other emission, so it is not yet possible to determine the answer.