MYSIA, Kyzikos. Circa 550-450 BC. EL Stater (18mm, 16.09 g). Janiform head of satyr left and nymph, wearing stephanos, right; below, tunny right / Quadripartite incuse square. Cf. Von Fritze I 76 (hekte, faces reversed); cf. Greenwell 47 (same); cf. Boston MFA 1426 = Warren 1466 (same); otherwise, unpublished. Lightly toned, minor die rust. VF. Well centered. Extremely rare, apparently one of two known staters for this issue (the other: CNG 114, lot 209).
From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Roma XIV (21 September 2017), lot 202 (hammer £12,000).
This coin is the finest of only two known to exist, having previously been unpublished as a stater, with this coin being the first of its type to be discovered. The coin depicts the janiform style of a satyr and nymph head. A popular motif in Greek mythology, the violent contacts between nymphs and satyrs help to represent the extremes of lust and chastity, desire and beauty, and other themes.