Watch List notes:

DYNASTS OF LYCIA. Vekhssere II, circa 410-390/80 BC. 1/3 Stater (Silver, 17 mm, 3.07 g, 11 h), Zagaba mint. Facing lion scalp. Rev. ('Zagabaha' in Lycian) Head of Athena facing, turned slightly to left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet and pearl necklace. Müseler VII, 3 var. (with monogram on the reverse). Nomos 10 (2015), 55 (same dies). Podalia 14 corr. (Zagaba as 'dynast'). Very rare and among the finest known. An enchanting example, boldly struck and without the usual heavy die wear and weakness. With the usual minor die break on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.


The reverse of this issue is a direct copy of the celebrated facing heads of Athena on the Eukleidas-Tetradrachms from Syracuse. It is, as such, evidence for the reception of the magnificent Sicilian art even in far away Lycia. The local artist did not quite capture the entire beauty of the original, but he got surprisingly close!