Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 132 30-31 May 2022
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Ionia, Uncertian mint
Stater circa 625-600, EL 16.36 g. Floral pattern. Rev. Square incuse. Cf. White Gold, p. 416, group 14, 64. cf. Triton sale XII, 2009, 308.
Apparently unique and unrecorded. A very important and fascinating issue, struck on
a narrow flan, otherwise good very fine
This unique and attractive electrum stater belongs to the earliest period of coinage in Ionia. According to Herodotus, electrum coinage was first struck by the Lydians under King Alyattes in the late seventh century BC. From Lydia the production of coins quickly spread to the neighboring Greek cities of Ionia. Electrum-an alloy of gold and silver-was said to have been used originally due to finds of the unparted metal in the Pactolus River of Lydia. However, modern metallurgical analysis suggests that most electrum coinages had their gold and silver content closely controlled by the issuing authorities. Through its use of the Phocaic standard, as well as its oblong shape, obverse rosette design and the single irregular incuse square punch on the reverse, the present stater seems to be closely related to similar pieces that appeared in Triton XII (lot 308) and Triton XXIII (lot 390). All of these coins are attributed to an uncertain mint in Ionia, but it seems possible that they may have been struck at Erythrai-an Ionian city that is known to have employed the Phokaic standard and featured floral and rosette designs on its electrum coins.
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Stater circa 625-600, EL 16.36 g. Floral pattern. Rev. Square incuse. Cf. White Gold, p. 416, group 14, 64. cf. Triton sale XII, 2009, 308.
Apparently unique and unrecorded. A very important and fascinating issue, struck on
a narrow flan, otherwise good very fine
This unique and attractive electrum stater belongs to the earliest period of coinage in Ionia. According to Herodotus, electrum coinage was first struck by the Lydians under King Alyattes in the late seventh century BC. From Lydia the production of coins quickly spread to the neighboring Greek cities of Ionia. Electrum-an alloy of gold and silver-was said to have been used originally due to finds of the unparted metal in the Pactolus River of Lydia. However, modern metallurgical analysis suggests that most electrum coinages had their gold and silver content closely controlled by the issuing authorities. Through its use of the Phocaic standard, as well as its oblong shape, obverse rosette design and the single irregular incuse square punch on the reverse, the present stater seems to be closely related to similar pieces that appeared in Triton XII (lot 308) and Triton XXIII (lot 390). All of these coins are attributed to an uncertain mint in Ionia, but it seems possible that they may have been struck at Erythrai-an Ionian city that is known to have employed the Phokaic standard and featured floral and rosette designs on its electrum coins.
View a video of this lot