Nomos AG
Auction 23 30 Nov 2021
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KINGS OF LYDIA. Alyattes II, circa 620/610-560 BC. Trite (Electrum, 13x11 mm, 4.71 g), Sardes, c. 610. A]ΛΥΑ (in Lydian) On the left, lion's head to right, with open jaws, confronting, on the right, a similar lion's head to left, also with open jaws; punctate background. Rev. Two square incuse punches. Apparently unpublished, but struck from the same dies as Nomos 17, 2018, 188. Removed from NGC holder #6054648-001 graded Choice XF✶ Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5. Extremely rare, one of less than half a dozen known examples. Extremely fine.
From a European Collection, ex Roma XIII, 23 March 2017, 295.
This is one of the most exciting of all of the pre-Kroisid electrum coins of Lydia. It was struck in the name of Alyattes II, the father of Kroisos and the most successful of all the Mermnad kings of Lydia (he is also found listed as Alyattes I and as just Alyattes). In many ways he can be seen as the founder of coinage: his being made of electrum; while his son Kroisos invented coinage in pure gold and pure silver.
From a European Collection, ex Roma XIII, 23 March 2017, 295.
This is one of the most exciting of all of the pre-Kroisid electrum coins of Lydia. It was struck in the name of Alyattes II, the father of Kroisos and the most successful of all the Mermnad kings of Lydia (he is also found listed as Alyattes I and as just Alyattes). In many ways he can be seen as the founder of coinage: his being made of electrum; while his son Kroisos invented coinage in pure gold and pure silver.