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CSNS Signature Sale 3107 3-5 May 2023
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Ancients
IONIA. Uncertain mint. Ca. 650-600 BC. EL stater (20mm, 14.38 gm). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 5/5. Lydo-Milesian standard. Field of striated lines, resembling ripples on water / Two incuse square punches with irregular interior surfaces, flanking central slim rectangular punch. Linzalone LN1018 (this coin). Cf. Weidauer Group II, 5 (trite). Cf. SNG Kayhan 680 (hecte). Crisp, with strong striations, on a harvest flan that is lightly toned in orange.
Ex Freeman & Sear, private sale with old dealer's tag
In his book "Electrum and the Invention of Coinage" (Dennis McMillan, 2011), author Joe Linzalone presents a convincing case that this Ionian issue of circa 670-660 BC should be considered the first true coin type ever struck. Pre-weighed lumps of electrum, some marked with a rough punch, had been employed as a medium of exchange for some years before this issue, but they lacked anything that could be called an obverse "type" or design. The field of striated lines seen here, Linzalone theorizes, could evoke the ripples of water in the stream beds where natural electrum was found in Lydia and Ionia, where coinage originated; alternatively it could simply be an abstract design engraved into the anvil striking surface intended to hold the blank in position. However, Linzalone points out the striated fields were maintained for a while even after other design elements were added, indicated more than a simple mechanical function. In any case, in his early treatise on economics and money, Aristotle stated that the addition of an obverse image was the decisive step to converting bullion into coinage. The striated stater is of special importance as it is the highest denomination initially struck; all other denominations served as fractions of a stater.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ionia-uncertain-mint-ca-650-600-bc-el-stater-20mm-1438-gm-ngc-choice-au-5-5-5-5/a/3107-30023.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3107-05032023
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 65000-100000 USD
IONIA. Uncertain mint. Ca. 650-600 BC. EL stater (20mm, 14.38 gm). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 5/5. Lydo-Milesian standard. Field of striated lines, resembling ripples on water / Two incuse square punches with irregular interior surfaces, flanking central slim rectangular punch. Linzalone LN1018 (this coin). Cf. Weidauer Group II, 5 (trite). Cf. SNG Kayhan 680 (hecte). Crisp, with strong striations, on a harvest flan that is lightly toned in orange.
Ex Freeman & Sear, private sale with old dealer's tag
In his book "Electrum and the Invention of Coinage" (Dennis McMillan, 2011), author Joe Linzalone presents a convincing case that this Ionian issue of circa 670-660 BC should be considered the first true coin type ever struck. Pre-weighed lumps of electrum, some marked with a rough punch, had been employed as a medium of exchange for some years before this issue, but they lacked anything that could be called an obverse "type" or design. The field of striated lines seen here, Linzalone theorizes, could evoke the ripples of water in the stream beds where natural electrum was found in Lydia and Ionia, where coinage originated; alternatively it could simply be an abstract design engraved into the anvil striking surface intended to hold the blank in position. However, Linzalone points out the striated fields were maintained for a while even after other design elements were added, indicated more than a simple mechanical function. In any case, in his early treatise on economics and money, Aristotle stated that the addition of an obverse image was the decisive step to converting bullion into coinage. The striated stater is of special importance as it is the highest denomination initially struck; all other denominations served as fractions of a stater.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ionia-uncertain-mint-ca-650-600-bc-el-stater-20mm-1438-gm-ngc-choice-au-5-5-5-5/a/3107-30023.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3107-05032023
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 65000-100000 USD