Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 5 27 Oct 2019
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CARIA. Uncertain. Circa 500-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 20 mm, 10.99 g). Forepart of a roaring lion to right. Rev. Irregular incuse, divided into two oblong halves. Gemini X (2013), 115 corr. = Roma E-Sale 32 (2017), 426 corr. (both with erroneous references). Roma 17 (2019), 512 corr. (with erroneous references). Very rare. A bright, clear and attractive piece. Some edge cracks from striking, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.
Exactly where this coin was struck is unclear, but it is likely of Carian origin, as the irregular incuse divided into two oblong halves is reminiscent of the early coinage of Ialysos, Kamiros, Lindos and 'Poseidion'. The references that have been given to this issue in previous catalogues - Rosen 613, SNG Kayhan 930 and SNG von Aulock 8033 - refer to similar coins from an uncertain Carian mint (sometimes ascribed to Mylasa). Those coins, however, clearly differ from ours in style and by showing the lion's shoulders and part of his back behind his mane. Whether the two issues were struck in differing places or subsequent types from one and the same mint still remains to be studied.
Exactly where this coin was struck is unclear, but it is likely of Carian origin, as the irregular incuse divided into two oblong halves is reminiscent of the early coinage of Ialysos, Kamiros, Lindos and 'Poseidion'. The references that have been given to this issue in previous catalogues - Rosen 613, SNG Kayhan 930 and SNG von Aulock 8033 - refer to similar coins from an uncertain Carian mint (sometimes ascribed to Mylasa). Those coins, however, clearly differ from ours in style and by showing the lion's shoulders and part of his back behind his mane. Whether the two issues were struck in differing places or subsequent types from one and the same mint still remains to be studied.