Gemini, LLC
Auction X 13 January 2013
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Kingdom of Lydia. Ardys II. 671-624 BC (traditional), formerly uncertain Ionia. EL Hemihecton (1/12 stater), 1.18g. Lydia, Sardes, c. 640-620 BC. Obv: Lion's head right. To right, Lydian inscription [WALWET]. Rx: Incuse square punch. Weidauer 112 (from the Artemision deposit). SNG Kayhan 1015. Cf. Gorny & Mosch 199 (2011), lot 498, and Triton XV (2012), lot 124 (both from same die and reverse punch). VF.
Recent research has proven that Stanley Robinson's dating of the Artemision deposit is more or less correct (pace G. Le Rider, La naissance de la monnaie, pp. 59 ff.). Therefore the famous WALWET coinage can be redated to the third quarter of the seventh century BC, i.e. to the reign of the Lydian ruler Ardys II rather than Alyattes (605-561 BC). Though the chronology of the Mermnad dynasty is still insecure, the equation WALWET = Alyattes appears to be more questionable than ever (cf. Le Rider, pp. 49-57). Thus the inscriptions on royal Lydian coins (besides WALWET, there is KUKALIM) apparently refer not to kings, but to other people who were supervising or perhaps financing the issues. The WALWET coinage appears to represent a transitional stage between the usually anonymous early issues and the inscribed official state issues; an exciting moment in the history of coinage.
Recent research has proven that Stanley Robinson's dating of the Artemision deposit is more or less correct (pace G. Le Rider, La naissance de la monnaie, pp. 59 ff.). Therefore the famous WALWET coinage can be redated to the third quarter of the seventh century BC, i.e. to the reign of the Lydian ruler Ardys II rather than Alyattes (605-561 BC). Though the chronology of the Mermnad dynasty is still insecure, the equation WALWET = Alyattes appears to be more questionable than ever (cf. Le Rider, pp. 49-57). Thus the inscriptions on royal Lydian coins (besides WALWET, there is KUKALIM) apparently refer not to kings, but to other people who were supervising or perhaps financing the issues. The WALWET coinage appears to represent a transitional stage between the usually anonymous early issues and the inscribed official state issues; an exciting moment in the history of coinage.