Greek Silver & Bronze Coins

Lot 2606    SESSION 12 (9.30AM THURSDAY 1ST AUG)    Greek Silver & Bronze Coins

Estimate $1,200
Bid at live.noble.com.au

LYCIA, Lycian Dynasts, Uncertain ruler, (c.500-460 B.C.), silver stater, (8.63 g), Xanthos mint?, obv. Boar walking to right, rev. turtle within incuse square and dotted border, (cf.S.5181-2, SNG Von Aulock 4072, Vismara, Glaux 3 [Winsemann Falghera collection], Type X, No. 48 [p.91, Pl.VI], BMC 17-21, Museler II 30-31, ACNAC Rosen 700 [Group 2], Morkholm JNG 14 [1964] pp.68-9, Pl.4, No.1). Toned, very fine and very rare.

Xanthus has been suggested as the likely mint for this and related issues (See G.K. Jenkins, 'Recent acquisitions of Greek Coins by the British Museum', NC 1959, p.33). However this may be questioned, since this stater and all the related pieces in the SNG Berry, ACNAC Rosen and SNG Von Aulock all fall clearly into the heavy weight classification. Thus Morkholm has in 'The Classification of Lycian coins before Alexander the Great' (JNG 1964, pp 65ff), assembled evidence indicating that Xanthus was the home of the light standard and the heavy standard circulated in Central Lycia and not that standard cannot be identified with any in use outside Lycia. This issue and the other few known specimens seem to all come within the intermediate weight standard (8.5-9.5 grams), which Morkholm claims emanates from the Western region of Lycia.