Lot 2122
Lydian Kingdom. Alyattes to Kroisos. Electrum Trite (4.74 g), ca. 610-546 BC. Sardis. Head of roaring lion right, multiple-rayed sun on snout. Reverse: Two incuse square punches of unequal size. Weidauer grp. XVI, 86-9; SNG Kayhan 1013; Bendenoun, Coins of the Ancient World, A portrait of the JDL Collection, Tradart 2009, 29 (this coin). Well centered and superbly struck. NGC grade Ch AU*; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5. Estimate Value $4,000 - UP
From the Dr. Patrick Tan Collection. Ex NAC 79 (20 October 2014), 15; Peus 368 (25 April 2001), 205; Aufäuser 8 (10 October 1991), 205.
This exemplary specimen of a Lydian lion trite (third stater) belongs to the dawn of coined money in the western world. Prior to the introduction of coinage, exchange had to be made through barter or silver cut up and weighed ('Hacksilber'). Coinage was pioneered in the Lydian kingdom of the Mermnad dynasty, which was uniquely placed to ensure the spread of the new medium of exchange. The kingdom dominated much of Asia Minor, including the many Greek cities of the western coastline, and had access to vast mineral wealth, including the flakes and nuggets of electrum (an alloy of gold and silver) found in the Paktolos River of Lydia proper. It was long believed that the earliest Lydian coinage was struck from naturally occurring electrum, but more recent metallurgical analyses have shown that the gold and silver content was closely controlled from the start.
|
| |
| Realized $14,100 |
