Asia Minor Coins - Photo Gallery

Ancient Greek and Roman coins from Asia Minor


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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B68909 viewsca 430-400 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g). Female head facing right, wearing hair-net / Beardless head with grotesque features facing left, wearing a modius-like object at forehead, the hair covered by net; thin square frame, all in incuse square. About EF/VF.

Bodenstedt interpreted the male head on the reverse as a Daktylos or Telchine, both from mythical bands of miners and blacksmiths, sometimes described as having a sinister character. (A common feature of mythical blacksmiths - Hephaestus is the exception, but he was physically handicapped instead). The object at the forehead could be something like a miner's lamp, but this is by no means confirmed.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B68521 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 4h). Head of Artemis-Kybele right, hair in sakkos / Head of female left, hair in sakkos, lamp at forehead; all in linear square within shallow incuse square. Good VF, a little die rust. Extremely rare, only 6 examples known to Bodenstedt.

Of the six coins listed by Bodenstedt, four are in museums (Karlsruhe, Boston, ANS, and s’Gravenhage). Only one other has appeared at auction recently: CNG 57 (4/2001), lot 478.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B68301 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.44g). Female head facing right, wearing hair-net / Beardless head with grotesque features facing left, lamp at forehead, the hair covered by net; thin square frame, all in incuse square. aVF. Carr coll.

Bodenstedt interpreted the male head on the reverse as a Daktylos or Telchine, both from mythical bands of miners and blacksmiths, sometimes described as having a sinister character (a common feature of mythical blacksmiths - Hephaestus is the exception). It has been suggested that the object at the forehead is a miner's lamp. Six examples noted by Bodenstedt, this appears to be only the seventh additional example offered at electronic auction.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B701576 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.57g). Laureate head of Apollo right / Female head right in incuse square, hair in long plait down neck. VF, nicely centered.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B70595 viewsca 396 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g). Laureate head of Apollo right / Female head right with long hair, in square incuse with linear square border. A scarce type. Very fine/good fine
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B71352 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.49g). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Head of Pharnabazos right, wearing satrapal headdress, within linear square within incuse square. VF.

Thirteen known to Bodenstedt, a further thirteen examples have been sold at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B71411 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.49g, 10mm, 6h). Head of Athena facing right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Long bearded head of Pharnabazos facing right wearing Persian headdress with ends falling behind neck, within linear frame within incuse square. Good VF, well centred, long bearded variety of this emission. Carr coll.

Bodenstedt notes 13 examples, a further 17th examples have appeared in auctions including this coin. A very sought after emission in this series for its historical importance. The reverse depicts Pharnabazos who played a significant role in the Peloponnesian War, providing Persian military and financial support to Sparta. In BC 399, when Sparta turned on its former ally and invaded Persia, Pharnabazos organised the Persian fleet and with the assistance of the Athenian Conon and Evagoras of Salamis, fought a decisive sea-battle in BC 394 near Knidos, completely destroying the Spartan fleet. Pharnabazos was the hereditary satrap of Phrygia and his granddaughter, Apame (Apama), married Seleukos and thus is said to be the founding Queen of the Seleukid Empire.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B72336 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.6g, 10mm). Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet, the side-flap turned up / Lion-scalp facing in thin square frame, the whole in incuse square. Good VF. Carr coll.

Six known to Bodenstedt. A further seven examples have appeared at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B73928 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Head of Artemis-Kybele right, wearing stephane, within linear incuse square. Good VF, sharp strike.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B73374 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 11mm, 6h). Head of Athena, right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Head of Artemis-Kybele right, wearing stephane, within square incuse. aEF. Carr coll.

34 examples noted by Bodenstedt. This appears to be the 56th additional example offered at electronic auction. Most examples of this emission are worn or poorly struck. This example is arguably one of the best known - being well centered, sharply struck and, because of the shape of the flan, the obverse displays waves of hair falling below the neckline normally absent on other examples. There are a variety of decorations that appear on the helmet of the obverse. The obverse (and reverse) is a die match for Lanz Auc. 148 (1/2010), lot 39.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B74711 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g). Head of Artemis-Kybele right, wearing stephane decorated with palmettes / Head of an African right, wearing stephane, within linear square. Good VF, nicely centered. Very rare; only one coin with this die combination recorded by Bodenstedt.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B74370 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 4h, 9mm). Head of Artemis-Kybele right, wearing stephane decorated with palmettes/ Head of an African right, wearing stephane, within linear square, in incuse square. Good VF/nVF. Carr coll.

In describing this type, some have suggested that the reverse is a caricature mask of Daktylen, or Telchin, as miner with leather apron (in front of the forehead or a leather cap). Idaic Dactyles were daemonic beings believed to be the first to discover and use metal. Allegedly they were from the Ida Mountains in Phrygia. It has been suggested that there is a correlation to the mythology of Central and Western Europe where dwarfs were also associated with mining and are to be noted in fairy tales such as that of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Fourteen examples are recorded in Bodenstedt and a further twenty examples have appeared in auction.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B75950 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g). Turreted head of Artemis-Kybele right, decorated with a palmette / Head of Hermes right, wearing petasos. Good VF.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B76604 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 9h). Wreathed and bearded head of Dionysos right, of archaizing style / Head of Kalathiskos-dance performer in linear square within incuse square. VF. Very rare, only one die pairing known for this emission.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B76278 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.4g, 11mm). Head of Dionysos facing right, wreathed and bearded with elegantly twirled moustache and finely engraved strands of hair, of archaizing style / Head of Kalathiskos-dance performer in linear square. This example, unusually gVF. Carr coll.

Five known to Bodenstedt, six others known of which this is the sixth. All examples of this type are from the same die pair.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B77877 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 12h). Diademed head of Io right / Laureate head of Dionysos right. EF. Struck from dies of fine style.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B78992 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 10mm, 6h). Head of Ariadne left, hair in sakkos decorated with three grape bunches / Lion, spearhead in jaws, right in linear square within incuse square. Near EF, light scratch on reverse, hairline flan crack. Very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B78512 viewsca 412 - 378 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 6h, 10mm). Head of Ariadne left, hair in sakkos decorated with three grape bunches / Lion crouching right, breaking spear in jaws, in linear square within incuse square. Good VF. Ex Ponterio. Carr coll.

Ten examples are recorded in Bodenstedt and a further six examples have appeared in auction.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B78399 viewsca 412-­378 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.56g, 6h). Head of Ariadne left, hair in sakkos decorated with three grape bunches / Lion, spearhead in jaws, right in linear square within incuse square.Near EF, toned, tiny pit on cheek, some light deposits. Very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B78380 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.57g, 11mm). Head of Ariadne left, hair in sakkos decorated with three grape bunches / Lion standing right, broken javelin in jaws; all within linear square. aEF.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B? 440 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.58g, 10mm, 4h). Head of Ares right, wearing crested helmet decorated with forepart of griffin / Calf's head to right within incuse square. EF. Carr coll.

This emission is unpublished in the standard references including Bodenstedt and appears to be unique. The obverse is that of Bodenstedt emission 65 and 66 and is a die match for Bodenstedt 66 in Roma Numismatics Auc. X (9/2015), lot 459 - see Coin ID #12825. The reverse is that of Bodenstedt 56, but has no die match with any example known at the time of this sale.

This is an important coin, as it raises questions as to whether it is a completely new emission or a hybrid. If it is a combination of two existing dies used in other emissions, those dies are at least 20 years apart in the Bodenstedt order. The condition of the coins in the aforementioned example of a die link with Bodenstedt 66, suggests they are a contemporary issue.
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Mytilene (BC 450) EL Hekte - B-555 viewsca 450 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g). Helmeted head of Athena / Two rams' heads opposed forehead to forehead, between them a palmette, all within incuse square. About EF.

This coin is unknown to Bodenstedt and appears to be unique. The cataloguer of the Gemini sale suggests that the obverse appears to be from a die of trite size but is the same style as the Bodenstedt 55 variant on this website. The reverse appears to be a die match for Bodenstedt 57a. The trite size obverse die may provide evidence to the speculation that there were electrum coins of denominations between Hektes and Staters.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B-522 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.44g). Head of Persephone right / Lyre. VF, well centered. Apparently, an unrecorded variant.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B-181 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 10mm). Head of Persephone right / Lyre or kithara within incuse. VF. Carr coll.

This emission is not recorded in Bodenstedt. This is the 5th example to appear at auction. Reverse is die match to example auctioned by CNG Auc. 105 (5/2017), lot 285.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B351043 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.47g). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Confronted steer heads within incuse square. Near VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B351061 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g). Helmeted head of Athena right; ΛΕ behind neck / Confronted steer heads within incuse square. Good VF, well centered. Ex CNG 61 (9/2001), lot 665.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B35 661 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.47g, 9mm, 6h). Helmeted head of Athena right / Confronting calf’s heads and ΛΕ above, all within incuse square. Near VF. Carr coll. Ex Naville 9, lot 72 (9/2014).

Bodenstedt notes two varieties of the reverse - one with the letters ΛΕ above the confronting calf’s heads and one without. Of the 24 examples noted by Bodenstedt, only 4 are with ΛΕ. The letters ΛΕ denote the coin is from the island of Lesbos. There are 5 different electrum coin emissions of Mytilene that include the letters ΛΕ - B14, B20, B23, B28 and B35.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B36484 viewsca 452-440 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g, 8h). Head of Silenos 3/4 facing to right, bald and with a full beard and goat’s ear / Head of lion with open jaws right; all within shallow incuse square. Carr coll.

Five known to Bodenstedt and only two others known at time of this sale. aVF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B371215 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.49g). Diademed head of Silenos right / Two ram head butting each other, no palmette between. VF, well centered. Rare reverse die; the only one without the palmette.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B37976 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.49g). Diademed head of Silenos right / Two confronted rams butting heads, palmette above. EF. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts 18 (3/1987), lot 186.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B371084 viewsc. 440-400 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g). Head of aged satyr facing right, wearing a taenia / Two confronted heads of rams, palmette in upper field, the whole in framed incuse square. Obverse struck in high relief. EF/Good VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B37740 viewsca 454­-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.50g, 11h). Diademed head of Silenos right / Two ram heads butting each other, palmette between; all in incuse square. Good VF. Well centered.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B37 Fourrée443 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.539g, 6h, 10.2mm). Diademed head of Silenos right / Confronted rams heads, palmette above. F. Carr coll.

Fourrées of Mytilene electrum coinage are rare as it appears that the penalty of forgery was death. This is a well preserved fourrée with the bronze core completely exposed. Of note is the weight of the coin does not betray this coin as a forgery (in contrast see B85 fourrée on this website).
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B381146 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 10h). Head of Selinos facing slightly left / Head of roaring lion right. VF. Struck with fresh dies. Very rare, only four specimens listed by Bodenstedt.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B38737 viewsca 460-440 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g). Head of Silenos in three-quarter view, looking left / Head of roaring lion facing right in square frame, the whole in incuse square. Good VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B38367 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (11mm, 2.48g). Head of Silenos facing slightly left / Head of lion right within linear square border; within incuse square. gVF. Very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B39748 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g, 3h). Male head right / Calf’s head right within a linear square. Rare. With a particularly beautiful head. Extremely fine. Belgian private collection; with Tradart, Geneva.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B39303 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g, 11mm). Bare male head right / Head of calf right within incuse square. Carr coll.

Eleven known to Bodenstedt. A further eighteen examples have appeared at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B401551 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g). Male head right, wearing taenia / Corinthian helmet right; M before; all within linear square. VF. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B40254 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 10mm). Male head right, wearing taenia / Corinthian helmet right; M before, all within linear square. Good VF. Carr coll.

Eight known to Bodenstedt. A further ten examples have appeared at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B411486 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g). Forepart of boar right / Head of roaring lion right within linear square. EF, nicely centered.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B411015 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 4h). Forepart of boar right / Head of lion right in linear square within incuse square. EF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B41517 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 11mm, 1h). Forepart of boar right / Head of lion right within linear square. EF.

32 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 56th additional offered at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B421083 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.80g). Forepart of goat right, head reverted / Owl standing facing with open wings within incuse square. Rare. Good very fine.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B42810 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 11h). Forepart of goat right, head left / Owl standing facing, wings spread, within incuse square. VF, light obverse die rust, die break on reverse. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B421478 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g). Forepart of goat right, head left / Owl standing facing, wings spread, within incuse square. VF. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B42404 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g, 11mm). Forepart of goat right, head left / Owl standing facing, wings spread, within incuse square. EF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B42410 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 11mm, 12h). Forepart of a goat right, head reverted / Owl standing, wings spread, within incuse square. VF, lightly toned. Carr coll.

This emission is thought to have occurred at a time when Lesbos was a member of the Delian League – an alliance of around 330 Greek city-states formed in the first half of 477 BC and led by Athens for the purpose of defending themselves against the Persians. It is suggested that this emission may have been part of the Lesbos tribute (phoros) to the war chest of the League. The depiction of an owl on the reverse appears to have been copied from Athenian Dekadrachms and would seem to allude to the relationship with Athens. Bodenstedt notes 21 examples of this emission. A further 43 examples have appeared at auction, this being the 43rd.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B43723 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g). Head of bearded god right (Priapos), hair bound with only partially visible band / Female head right (the nymph Chione or Dione), hair in sphendone; the whole within incuse square. Extremely rare. aEF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B43459 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 11mm, 4h). Bearded head of Priapos right, wearing tainia / Head of female (nymph Chione or Dione?) right, hair in sphendone, within shallow incuse square. EF.

5 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 8th additional offered at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B44788 viewsca 454-427 BC. El Hekte (2.53g, 12h). Diademed female head facing slightly right / Bull's head left; M above. VF. Struck with fresh dies. Very rare. Bodenstedt records only 4 specimens of this variety with the M on the reverse die, all of which are in museums.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B44664 viewsca 430 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g, 11h). Diademed female head facing slightly right / Bull's head left; M above; all within quadratum incusum. Extremely rare, probably the 8th specimen known. Large flan. About extremely fine.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B44483 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.51g, 8h). Diademed female head facing slightly right / Bull's head left; M above; all within incuse square. Near EF. Very rare, only 6 examples recorded by Bodenstedt.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B44383 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 10mm, 12h). Head of nymph three-quarter facing and turned slightly right, wearing taenia that is bound up at the back of her head / Bull's head left; M above; all within incuse square. Good VF. Carr coll.

A rare coin with Bodenstedt noting just 7 examples. There are only 7 additional examples appearing in auctions before this sale. This emission shares an obverse similar to B45 with some sharing the same die. There is a variation of the obverse in which at the top left of field (10:00) contains a letter “A” (see Coin ID 12993). On the reverse, the “M” above the bull’s head has been taken to indicate Mytilene.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45685 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.55g, 7h), struck circa 430 BC. Head of nymph (Europa?) three-quarter facing and turned slightly right, wearing taenia / Two boars' heads confronting each other. Very rare. Minor scratches on rev, otherwise aEF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45531 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.55g, 2h). Diademed female head facing slightly right / Confronted boars’ heads within incuse square. Good VF, lightly toned.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45431 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.44g). Head of nymph three-quarter facing and turned slightly right, wearing taenia that is bound up at the back of her head / Two boars' heads confronting each other. It has been suggested that the obverse portrait is that of Europa. VF. Carr coll.

Three examples noted by Bodenstedt, this appears to be only the fifth additional example offered at electronic auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45a452 viewsca 430 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 10mm, 11h). Head of a nymph, possibly Europa, three-quarter facing and turned slightly right, wearing a taenia / Two confronting boars' heads, A between. Very Rare. aEF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45a571 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 10.5mm, 4h). Head of nymph three-quarter facing and turned slightly right, wearing taenia bound at back of head / Two boars' heads confronting each other, “A” between. nEF. Carr coll.

It has been suggested that the obverse portrait is that of Sappho (see Coin ID #153) or Europa. Three examples noted by Bodenstedt, this appears to be only the eighth additional example offered at electronic auction. Of the total, four examples have the letter “A” between the heads.
1 comments
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45a203 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 10mm, 11h). Head of a nymph, (possibly Europa?), three-quarter facing, turned slightly to right, wearing a taenia / Two confronting boars' heads, “A” between the heads. Very Rare. aEF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B46412 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 6h, 11mm). Female head right, wearing sakkos / Two herms facing, one male, one female, within linear border; all within shallow incuse square. Good F.

Six known to Bodenstedt, one further example has been sold at auction – this coin.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B46 667 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.55g). Female head right, wearing sakkos / Two herms (?) facing, one male, one female, within linear border; all within shallow incuse square. The male herm with an exaggerated erect phallus. Good VF. Carr coll.

Six examples known to Bodenstedt. This appears to be only the second example offered at electronic auction or sale. The dies for this coin are unrecorded in Bodenstedt, but the same as the other example offered at electronic auction (Roma Numismatics 7 (3/2014), lot 611).
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B47303 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.49g). Head of a bearded Silenos with animal ears and bald / Lion’s head with Knuur-gesture from the front. About VF.

Two known to Bodenstedt, one further example has been sold at auction – this coin.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B47 542 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 10mm, 9h). Bearded head of Silenos right / Head of lion (or wolf?) facing within incuse square. gVF.

This is only the fourth known example of this emission, two of which are noted in Bodenstedt. The reverse is a die match with a reverse die used for an emission of B48 (CNG 85, 411).
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B48419 viewsc 454-428 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 10 mm). Young female head right / Facing head of wolf (?) in incuse square. VF. Extremely rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B48345 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.59g, 11mm, 5h). Young female head to right, hair tied up with ribbon / Facing head of wolf (or lion) within incuse square. EF.

3 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 4th additional offered at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49468 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.46g). Head of Persephone right / Head of roaring lion right. Near VF, a few light scratches. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49453 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.45g). Head of Persephone right / Head of roaring lion right. VF, light scuff on lion's mane. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49 387 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g, 9mm, 12h). Head of Persephone right / Downward head of lion to right within incuse square. VF. Carr coll.1 comments
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49400 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 11mm, 8h). Head of Persephone right, hair in bunch behind / Head of roaring lion to right within incuse square. EF.

11 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 9th additional offered at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49184 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.57g, 11mm). Female head right / Head of roaring lion right within incuse square. gVF. Very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B50495 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 9h). Wreathed head of Dionysos right / Heads of two confronted calves, palmette above, within incuse square. Rare. VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B50632 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.6g, 2h). Wreathed head of Dionysos right / Heads of two confronted bulls within incuse square. Rare. EF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B51537 viewsca 440 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right / Head of bearded satyr right within square incuse. aEF. Ex Gemini Auctions IX (1/2012), lot 112.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B51476 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.55g, 8h). Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Bearded head of Silenos right within incuse square. Near EF. Very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B51203 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g, 11mm). Laureate head of Apollo right / Bearded head of Silenos right within incuse square. gVF. Very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B51226 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 10mm, 3h). Laureate head of Apollo facing right / Bearded head of Silenos facing right, within incuse square. Good VF, well centred with reverse weakly struck as is usual for this emission. Carr coll.

A popular collectors' coin, Bodenstedt noting 9 examples. This is the 17th additional example to appear in auctions.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B52813 viewsca 400-380 BC. EL Hekte (2.57g). Head of male youth facing right (Apollo?), wearing knotted taenia with lotus-like ornament above the forehead / Male head with long beard facing right within broad square frame, the whole in incuse square. Pleasant VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B52598 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (11mm, 2.51g, 3h). Diademed youthful male head right / Wreathed bearded male head right within incuse square. Good VF, light scratch on obverse.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B52 584 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g, 10mm). Young male head facing right, wearing knotted taenia with lotus-like ornament above the forehead / Wreathed male head (in archaic style) facing right, wearing long beard, within incuse square. gVF, one of the best examples known, with reverse in much better condition than usual for this emission. Carr coll.

Bodenstedt notes 29 examples of this emission. A further 30 examples have appeared at auction, this being the 30th.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B52 var.228 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.61g, 10.5mm, 10h). Young male head facing right, wearing taenia / In archaic style, wreathed male head facing right, wearing long beard slanted downwards, all within incuse square. Good VF. Carr coll.

This emission is a rarer issue of this type with a small head on the reverse. The identity of the individuals featured on this coin has been open to speculation. Some suggest the obverse male is a youthful river god. Some have suggested the male on the reverse is an older river god, others suggest it is Dionysos. Bodenstedt notes 29 examples of this general emission and within that only 4 of this variety. A further 81 examples have appeared at auction, this being the 81st and within that only 5 of this variety.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B53518 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 10mm, 9h). Diademed male head right / Kantharos between two leaves within linear square. Good VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B54709 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.55g, 3h). Head of Aktaeon right, wearing stag's horn / Gorgoneion in linear square within incuse square. Good VF. Herman Coll.; Ex Elsen 71 (9/2002), lot 214.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B54577 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.54g). Head of Aktaeon right, with stag's horn / Gorgoneion, within linear square. VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B54840 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g). Head of Aktaeon right, wearing stag's horn / Gorgoneion facing within linear square. VF. Scarce.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B54298 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.55g, 10h). Head of Aktaeon right, with stag's horn / Gorgoneion within linear square. Near VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B54379 viewsca 454- 427 BC. EL Hekte (2.6g, 11mm). Head of Aktaeon right, ornate ‘hairstyle’ or adornment with ‘hair’ swept back / Gorgoneion facing within linear square. VF. Carr coll.

Thirty-eight examples are recorded in Bodenstedt and forty-five further examples have appeared in auction. There are in fact two types of obverse. This example shows Akateon with an ornate hairstyle or adornment ‘helmet’ – no example so far appears to be better than VF, thus making a definitive description difficult. The most common obverse type has Akateon with close rolls of hair and wearing a stag's horn.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B55554 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.5g, 10mm, 2h). Head of Athena right, wearing corinthian helmet / Two overlapping female heads with archaic pigtails facing each other. Very rare. Very fine. Ex Gorny & Mosch Sale 200, #1719.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B55459 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.49g, 11mm). Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet / Two overlapping female heads facing each other, hair in archaic braids all within incuse square. Obverse nicely centered on flan, good VF. Carr coll.

Eight examples known to Bodenstedt. This is the fifth further example to appear at auction. The reverse is an amazing picture puzzle. Examining the reverse of B55 emissions, one can note two different types: one type has an overlap of the heads such that an optical illusions is created where they appear to have a common eye; the other type, each head retains a distinct eye in profile. The overlap of the heads is a reverse that also appears on a later emission, B62 - part of a different series for Bodenstedt.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B55810 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 11mm, 1h). Head of Athena wearing crested Corinthian helmet to right / Two confronted female heads, their faces overlapping; all within incuse square. EF.

8 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 7th additional offered at auction. See Coin ID #11681 for further details.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B55 var701 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g). Helmeted head of Athena right / Two confronting female faces overlapping; all within incuse square. Good VF.

This is an unrecorded variety of Bodenstedt 55 with the head of Athena similar to an unknown type - Coin ID #11287, which was a coin sold at the Gemini Auc. IX (1/2012), lot 111.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B55 var.287 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g, 10.5mm, 5h). Head of Athena facing right, wearing Chalkidian helmet / Two confronting female heads in profile, their faces overlapping with common or ‘single eye’, hair in archaic braids, all within incuse square. VF and well centered. Carr coll.

This coin is appears to be a variant of B55 sharing the same reverse – see Coin ID #11681. The obverse is different - here Athena wears a Chalkidian helmet instead of Corinthian. CNG commented: “This helmet is thought to be a derivative of the Corinthian helmet, and became popular in the 5th–4th centuries BC. It was lighter than the Corinthian helmet and afforded its wearer better visibility and hearing while worn.” This emission is only the second known example, the other being sold at the NAC Auc. 78 (5/2014) lot 1471 which appears to be from the same dies (see Coin ID #11286). The obverse of this coin is similar to an unknown type - Coin ID #11287, which was a coin sold at the Gemini Auc. IX (1/2012), lot 111.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B56747 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.55g, 1h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Cow's head right in incuse square. VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B56516 viewsca 454-428/7 BC. EL Hekte (2.47g, 10h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Cow's head right in incuse square. VF, minor die rust on obverse. Well centered obverse.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B56478 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g). Laureate head of Apollo right / Cow's head right. Good VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B56292 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 10mm). Laureate head of Apollo right / Head of cow right within incuse square. Unusually good VF for type. Carr coll.

Twenty four known to Bodenstedt. A further thirty examples have appeared at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B56395 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 11mm, 3h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Head of calf to right within incuse square. gEF.

24 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 25th additional offered at auction. See Coin ID #11681 for further details.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B57297 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g, 5h, 10mm). Laureate head of Apollo right / Confronted rams’ heads; floral symbol above; all within incuse square. VF/nVF. Carr coll.

Fourteen examples are recorded in Bodenstedt and a further twelve examples have appeared in auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B58654 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 7h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Hen walking right in linear square within incuse square. Fine. Very rare, only five examples noted by Bodenstedt.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B58440 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 11mm, 11h). Laureate head of Apollo to right / Rock partridge walking to right, linear frame around; all within incuse square. EF.

5 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 3rd additional offered at auction.
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