Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXIII 24-25 Mar 2022
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Western Asia Minor, uncertain mint EL 1/48 Stater. Circa 5th century BC. Head of unbridled horse to left / Rough incuse square. Fischer-Bossert, Horses F4 (H17/H27); Rauch 94, 361 (same dies, plated); Gärtner 32, 34102 (same dies). 0.30g, 5mm.
Good Very Fine. Very Rare.
Fischer-Bossert considered the two examples which had appeared in trade (see references) belonging to these dies to be of doubtful authenticity. The Rauch example is reportedly plated and weighs 0.19g, whilst the Gartner specimen is reportedly not and weighs 0.29g - both curiously exhibit two separate identical indentations on the horse's mane and have almost identical flan shapes. This specimen however lacks the identical striking features of the aforementioned specimens and the full head of the horse has been registered on the flan. The specimen presented here is obviously authentic and validates the existence of these dies. It is possible that the examples which have previously appeared in trade are both forgeries produced with dies derived from an original specimen.
Good Very Fine. Very Rare.
Fischer-Bossert considered the two examples which had appeared in trade (see references) belonging to these dies to be of doubtful authenticity. The Rauch example is reportedly plated and weighs 0.19g, whilst the Gartner specimen is reportedly not and weighs 0.29g - both curiously exhibit two separate identical indentations on the horse's mane and have almost identical flan shapes. This specimen however lacks the identical striking features of the aforementioned specimens and the full head of the horse has been registered on the flan. The specimen presented here is obviously authentic and validates the existence of these dies. It is possible that the examples which have previously appeared in trade are both forgeries produced with dies derived from an original specimen.