PAMPHYLIA. Aspendos. Circa 380-325 B.C. AR stater. 10.84 gm. 23 mm. Two wrestlers grappling; FИ between, ΜΕΝΕΤVΣ ΕΛVΦA in exergue / Slinger in throwing stance right; triskeles to right, ΕΣΤFΕΔΙΙΥΣ to left; all within pelleted square. Tekin Series 4. SNG France 97-98. Good Very Fine; richly toned with golden iridescence highlighting design; well centered on an unusually large flan; a few hairline marks in fields on obverse; minor deposits/areas of horn silver; unusually well struck facial features; struck with a very interesting worn and failing obverse die but a very crisp reverse die. Beautifully toned and perfectly centered. It is very unusual to have the complete design on such a broad, full round flan; a beautiful piece.

This coin's unusual obverse legend has been a source of debate since at least the late 19th century. Staters from Aspendos normally only display the magistrate's initials. It has been suggested that the two additional names on this obverse type (Menetys Elypha) could be an artist's signature, the magistrate's name and family name, or even a reference to the two wrestlers, Menetos ("the Stalwart") and Elypsas ("the Slippery").