Lot 1533
Lydian Kingdom. Kroisos. Gold Stater (10.72 g), ca. 564/53-550/39 BC. Heavy standard, regular issue. Sardes. Confronted foreparts of lion and bull. Reverse: Two incuse squares. Berk 2; SNG Ashmolean 759; SNG von Aulock 2873-4. Perfectly centered with plenty of luster still present. NGC grade Ch VF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5. Estimated Value $7,500 - UP
King Kroisos of Lydia is credited for not only his immense wealth, but for creating the first bimetallic coinage of gold and silver. The heavy weight gold stater and the heavy weight silver stater, This was followed by the light weight versions, 4 in gold and 22 in silver all carry the same basic features, the Lion and the Bull representing strength and fertility.
The earliest gold coins, the staters of Kroisid type come in two weight standards, an earlier heavy standard with both gold and silver staters weighing around 10.7 grams, and a later light or reduced standard with the weight of gold staters around 8.17 grams. This particularly fine example belongs to the earlier, heavy series, with a weight of 10.72 grams. The heavy staters are the earliest struck by the Lydian kings and are dated to the period when Kroisos was kind. They are also quite rare as they were struck for only a relatively short time.
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| Realized $23,400 |
