Most viewed - Mytilene EL
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B55462 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 521-478) EL Hekte - B04455 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.41g). Forepart of a running bull / Incuse head of roaring lion left; rectangular punch behind. Very rare. Perfectly centered. Extremely fine. Outstanding example on broad flan and full centered.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49454 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 - B45a453 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 477-455) EL Hekte - B-453 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g, 9.5mm, 11h). Head of female right, hair bound in sakkos; Λ¬E flanking neck; all on raised disk / Incuse head of cock right; small square behind neck. gVF.
The cataloguer at CNG described this coin as “Unique.†If genuine, this is a fascinating and important coin as its obverse and reverse are of an unknown type and the obverse appears to be a ‘shield-like’. The obverse has a ‘hint’ of an under-type at 5 o’clock.
The coin is an ‘enigma’: The reverse is a cock's head facing right. B3, B7 and B9 are comparable portraits but all face left. The reverse type suggests that the coin is pre-455 BC but the obverse has a portrait of a woman which is unknown for the early series. The 'shield-like' attachment on the obverse does not have a precedent in the Mytilene series.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B13452 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.5g). Head of a roaring lion right / Incuse head of a calf right with collar, incuse rectangular punch behind. Obverse has signs of die rust, reverse is from a die unknown to Bodenstedt and no match with examples that have come to auction thus far. aVF/gVF. Carr coll.
141 examples known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 227th example offered at electronic auction or sale. From the numbers known to Bodenstedt and those that have appeared at auction, the coins of this emission are the most extensive of all those electrum of Lesbos. It has been suggested by a number of authorities that this emission was struck around 500 BC when Lesbos took part in the Ionic revolt.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B-447 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 11mm). Head of a roaring lion, facing left / Incuse head of a calf facing left, incuse rectangular punch behind. gVF. Carr coll.
The combination of roaring lion with incuse head of calf are noted in Bodenstedt as emissions 12, 13, 14, 24 and 25. This coin has the obverse and reverse figures facing left - a combination unknown to Bodenstedt and unpublished in other standard references. This is the second of three examples known from auction. The first was sold in Gorny and Mosch Auc. 151 (10/2006), lot 179. The second and third examples in Pecunem Auc. 40 (2/2016), lots 226 and 227. The examples from Pecunem auction are from the same obverse and reverse dies.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B91447 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 11mm). Veiled head of Demeter right, wearing wreath of grain ears / Filleted tripod with linear square. gVF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B37 Fourrée446 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B87 (unlisted reverse die)442 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g). Ivy-wreathed head of youthful Dionysos right / Head of horned Satyr right, within linear frame. About EF. Carr coll.
9 examples noted by Bodenstedt. An additional 21 examples have been offered at electronic auction. Unlisted reverse die in Bodenstedt, but same reverse die as Pecunem 19 (7/2014), lot 196. Ex Roma 14 (12/2014), lot 125.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B58442 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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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B? 442 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B64/65441 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.55g, 11mm, 12h). Laureate head of Apollo facing 3/4 slightly right / Head of an Amazon in Thracian leather helmet with cheek guards to right, hair in sakkos. gEF.
The reverse appears to be that of Bodenstedt 65ß. Thus this example could be a hybrid B64/65. On the other hand, this could be an example of a die break which links the reverses of B64 and B65. See Coin ID #11245 for similar emission.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B01436 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g). Forepart of bull running left, “M†below between mouth and front leg / Incuse head of roaring lion left, incuse punches behind. Exceptionally well centred example, one of best known. gVF. Carr coll.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B95 var.435 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 9.5mm, 11h). Laureate head of Apollo (Dionysos?) facing right / Head of female facing right, drapery at neck, within linear square. Good VF. Carr coll.
A variation of the usual B95 type or a distinct new type. The obverse head appears different to that of Apollo and more like Dionysos with a laurel wreath rather than the usual ivy leaves. The female head on the reverse is unusually large. CNG described this coin as: “This is one of the few coins of this type that we have handled where the obverse portrait may actually be Dionysos, as there is what looks like a pinecone at the top of the laurel wreath. Normally, Dionysos would be wreathed with ivy leaves, but the wreath on this coin, and this type, usually looks more like laurel leaves. It is possible that this type is either an engraver’s error, or was meant to be a distinct issue different from the Apollo obverse typeâ€.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45434 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 477-455) EL Hekte - B27433 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 9h, 10mm). Ram's head right with rooster below / Incuse punch of bull's head. Good VF. Ex Ponterio Auc N.Y.I.N.C. (1/2013) lot 200. Carr coll.
Eleven known to Bodenstedt, a further seven examples have been sold at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B08431 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte. Forepart of a lion left head facing / Incuse lion head, facing left. One known to Bodenstedt. A further example has yet to appear at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 530-522) EL 1/24 Stater - BE- 429 viewsca 530-522 BC. EL 1/24 Stater (0.62g). Calf head facing right / Incuse square. EF.
No example known to Bodenstedt.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B20427 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 11mm, 6h). Forepart of a bridled horse right, ΛΕ below / Incuse head of roaring lion right; rectangular punch behind.
3 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 4th additional offered at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B09424 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 11mm). Forepart of winged lion left / Incuse head of cock left; rectangular punch to right. EF.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B03423 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte. Forepart of bull running left / Incuse cock head, facing right. Two known to Bodenstedt. An example is yet to appear at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B59421 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (10mm, 2.51g). Laureate head of Apollo right / Head of a goat right. VF. Very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B48420 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B71417 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 454-427) EL Hekte - B42414 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 - B46413 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B66409 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte. Head of Ares in Attic helmet, facing right / Corinthian helmet from the front face within incuse square. Two known to Bodenstedt. A further example has yet to appear at auction.
The obverse is similar to that of B65.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B65 var.409 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.59g, 10mm, 7h). Bearded head of Ares right, wearing crested Attic helmet / Head of Amazon right, her hair drawn up and tied, in linear border within incuse square. gVF. Carr coll.
This emission is a variation of Bodenstedt 65. The reverse usually shows Amazon wearing an ornate helmet with the forepart of a griffin. This coin shows the Amazon without a helmet and her hair drawn up and tied. Bodenstedt does describe this variation for which he records 5 examples from a single die. At auction, only 5 other examples have appeared, thus this appears to be only the 11th example known. The obverse is from a die unrecorded by Bodenstedt and unknown from the examples from auctions.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B42408 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 521-478) EL 1/24 Stater - B- 406 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL 1/24 Stater (0.65g, 6mm, 11h). Head of calf to left / Incuse head of lion to left, rectangular punch behind. EF. Carr coll.
Unknown to Bodenstedt. One other recorded example known - Gorny & Mosch 195, 222 (12,000 EUR). This coin, coupled with 1/12 Stater on Asia Minor Coins (Coin ID #13297), confirms that Lesbos had fractions of a Stater in addition to the hekte.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49404 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B78400 viewsca 412-Â378 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 454-427) EL Hekte - B56397 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B80396 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 11mm). Female head right, hair in sakkos / Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, within linear square. VF.
Six examples noted by Bodenstedt, this appears to be the first additional example offered at electronic auction.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B05392 viewsca 521Â-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.61g). Forepart of bull right / Lion’s head left, open jaws, within incuse. Virtually as struck and almost FDC. Ex Tkalec 29 (2/2000), 88.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49 390 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.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B97389 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 2h, 10mm). Veiled and wreathed head of Demeter right / Kithara with fillet within linear square. EF.
One known to Bodenstedt, one further example has been sold at auction – this coin.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B25388 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 10mm). Head of roaring lion right / Calf's head to the left. VF.
Bodenstedt records two examples of this type. A further single examples has appeared in an auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B44388 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B78384 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B85 Fourrée383 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.17g, 12h, 10mm). Young male head right, wearing tainia with frontal horn / Female head right, hair in sphendone, within linear square. Good VF. 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 plating broken in several places but the overall appearance is still that of an electrum coin. The weight, as well as the broken plating, reveal the coin to be a fourrée.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B54380 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B73376 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B90 type 1 375 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.55g, 10mm, 1h). Wreathed head of young Dionysos right/ Facing bald head with long tousled beard swept back, smooth forehead, long pointed (animal?) ears upward, all within linear square. gVF. Carr coll.
Bodenstedt notes 16 obverse and 25 reverse die varieties. His reverse dies can be simplified to small variations of 3 different head types and 4 “motifs†that may occur in the field. The 3 different head types are: small bald head with long tousled beard swept back, smooth forehead, long pointed ears upward; larger head, shaggy hair and close cropped beard and moustache, small ‘animal ears’, furrowed or smooth brow; as previous type but shaggy hair. The 4 “motifs†are additions in the field: ivy leaf, upper right and sometimes lower left corners; grapes, lower left corner – Bodenstedt makes a distinction on basis of a stem being present; 8-armed/beamed star top right corner; and, 8-armed/beamed star top left corner. (see Coin ID #11346)
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B38374 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 530-522) EL 1/24 Stater - BE-373 viewsca 530-522 BC. EL 1/24 Stater (0.58g, 6mm). Calf head facing right / Incuse square. VF, toned. Carr coll.
Unknown to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the fifth example that has been offered at auction. This example shares the same die and punch as two other examples – CNG Auc. 88 (9/2011), lot 363 (Coin ID #8310); and CNG Auc. 97 (9/2014) lot 223. After Bodenstedt was published in 1981, some scholars have suggested this series of emissions appears to equate to a Lydo-Milesian standard, which may indicate it was minted in Ionia, perhaps during the Ionian Revolt - see Kayhan (2002), Plate 28 nos. 732-734 (also Coin ID #12749).
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B74372 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 477-455) EL Hekte - B31369 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.60g, 1h, 11mm). Laureate head of Apollo right / Incuse head of Artemis (?) right wearing sphendone. About VF. Carr coll.
One known to Bodenstedt, one further example has been sold at auction – this coin.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B21 var365 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 10.5mm, 9h). Head of ram left; below, head of eagle facing right / Incuse head of bearded Herakles wearing lion’s skin headdress facing right. Good VF, toned.
This is a variant of the normal emission with an eagle’s head. This originally appeared in Elsen Auc. 111 (12/2011), lot 131, and appears to be the only example. It is unlisted in any of the standard texts except HGC 6, 947 var, this coin.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B94360 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.6g, 12mm). Laureate head of Apollo right / Lyre within linear square. Good VF. Unusually large flan. Carr coll.
Sixteen examples are recorded in Bodenstedt and fourteen further examples have appeared in auction.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B71356 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 521-478) EL 1/24 Stater - B-350 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL 1/24 Stater (0.62g, 7mm, 1h). Head of calf left / Incuse head of lion left; rectangular punch behind. Unpublished in the standard references. Near Mint State. An excessively rare denomination; one of just three known examples of this type. P.R. coll., United Kingdom.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B48348 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B66346 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.60g, 10.5mm, 1h). Head of Ares facing right, wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with a griffin / Crested Corinthian helmet facing within a linear square within an incuse square. nEF and well centered. Carr coll.
This coin is one previously sold from the MM Collection Ex CNG Triton XIX (1/2016), lot 204. Bodenstedt notes 3 examples of this type and there have been another 7 from auctions including this coin.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B30345 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.45g, 5h, 11mm). Attic helmeted head of Athena right / Incuse head of facing lion. VF. Ex Velkov coll., Vinchon Auc. (Paris, 11/1994), lot 127. Carr coll.
Six examples of this coin type are recorded in Bodenstedt and eight further examples have appeared in auction.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B-344 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 9mm). Forepart of bull running right / Incuse head of roaring lion right, incuse punches behind. VF. Carr coll.
This emission is previously unknown. The combination of forepart of bull with incuse head of roaring lion are noted by Bodenstedt as M1, M2, M4 and M5. This coin has the obverse and reverse figures facing right - unknown to Bodenstedt and unpublished in other standard references. Currently there are no die matches for either obverse or reverse.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B32342 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte. Laureate head of Apollo facing left / Incuse female head, facing right wearing spendone. One known to Bodenstedt. A further example has yet to appear at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B72340 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B82340 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 10mm, 5h). Female head (possibly Leda) facing right / Swan standing right, head left, wing raised, within linear square in incuse square, VF/F. Carr coll.
Bodenstedt notes only one example. This is the third additional example known from auction. The other two sold at auction were NAC Auction O (2004), lot 1603 and Tkalec Auction (4/2007), lot 71. The obverse of all the examples have been struck from the same die. This obverse die was also used for an emission, unknown to Bodenstedt, that has Nike on the reverse – see Coin ID #11240 and Coin ID #12842. The reverse die used for this coin is different to what is the common die for the other three examples - the ‘underwing’ of the swan is more extensive and detailed.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B80337 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g). Female head, facing right / Head of Athena with Corinthian helmet, facing right. aVF.
Six known to Bodenstedt, no examples appear to have been sold at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B26336 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte. Forepart of a bull charging right / Incuse lion head, facing right. One known to Bodenstedt. A further example has yet to appear at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 530-522) EL 1/48 Stater - BE2332 viewsca 530-522 BC. EL 1/48 Stater (0.31g). Calf head facing right / Incuse square. aEF.
One example known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the only additional example that has been offered at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B28326 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.42g, 8h, 10mm). Head of lion right, ΛE below / Incuse head of bull right.
Four examples of this coin type are recorded in Bodenstedt, and nine further examples have appeared in auction with only four recording ΛE on the obverse. gVF. Carr coll.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B64/65312 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.6g, 11mm). Laureate head of Apollo facing 3/4 slightly right / Head of an Amazon in Thracian leather helmet with cheek guards to right, hair in sakkos. Carr coll.
The reverse appears to be that of Bodenstedt 65 ß. Thus this example could be a hybrid B64/65. On the other hand, this could be an example of a die break which links the reverses of B64 and B65.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B89306 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.55g, 12h). Wreathed head of Dionysos right / Wreathed head of Persephone right in linear square . Good VF.
Ten known to Bodenstedt, seven further examples have been sold at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B47304 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 - B39304 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B68303 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 454-427) EL Hekte - B54299 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 - B57299 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 - B58298 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 10.5mm, 4h). Laureate head of Apollo facing right / Rock partridge standing right in linear square, letter “F†in front, all within incuse square. gVF. Carr coll.
Bodenstedt notes 5 examples of this emission. A further 8 examples, including this one, have appeared at auction. A close examination of the examples that have appeared at auction reveals that 5 of the 8 are from the same reverse die, which shows deterioration and progression of a die crack. The sequence from no die crack is as follows: Roma Auc. X (4/2016), lot 370; CNG Auc. 102 (5/2016), lot 423 (this coin); CNG Auc, Triton XIX (1/2016), lot 198; CNG Auc. 69 (6/2005), lot 377 (Asia Minor Coins, Coin ID #1947); and CNG Auc. 384 (10/2016), lot 218. This group of 5 coins from the same reverse die also reveals what appears to be a letter “F†in front of the breast of the partridge. This letter is more distinct in in some coins than in others and has previously gone unrecorded in the descriptions of these coins.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B56294 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 - B55 var.289 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B76279 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 521-478) EL Hekte - B12 var278 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 10mm). Head of roaring lion left, variant with ‘sun’ and rays above eye / Incuse head of calf left; rectangular punch to right. EF. Carr coll.
19 examples known to Bodenstedt, this is the 106th example to have appeared at auction. The dies for this example are worn and otherwise unknown. This variant with a ‘sun’ and rays above the eye is similar to that on the Trites of Lydia. Some sources suggest that the lion was considered a personification of the sun as they were thought to be able to look directly at the sun.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B05271 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.57g, 10mm). Bull running to right. Small head with a vertically positioned ear / Stocky lion roaring head, left, with gaping mouth. EF.
One example is recorded in Bodenstedt and a further one has appeared in auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B59259 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.48g, 7h, 11mm). Laureate head of Apollo right / Head of a goat right. VF. Carr coll.
Eight known to Bodenstedt, seven others known of which this is the seventh.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B40256 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 - B52 var.231 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 - B51230 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 521-478) EL Hekte - B21 var230 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.50g, 10mm). Head of ram left, cock standing right, pecking at ground. Letter E (retrograde) below. / Incuse head of bearded Herakles wearing lion’s skin headdress facing right. VF. Carr coll.
This appears to be a ‘double variant’ emission. The coin is ‘clearly’ a hybrid of an obverse of Bodenstedt 21 (ram's head left with cock below) and the reverse of Bodenstedt 2, 15, 16, 20, or 26 (incuse lion's head right). There appear to be only 6 of this variant, this being the 6th. On the other hand, it is a variant in respect to the other 5 variant examples and the normal B21, as there is a letter “E†(retrograde) below the cock on the obverse. CNG Auc. 105, lot 238 (5/2017) is a similar coin, but it has an additional letter () below the cock. Hekte emissions of Mytilene that include the letters E are B14, B20, B23, B28, B35 and B-unknown CNG Triton XX (1/2017), lot 259 - these letters have been taken to denote the island of Lesbos. CNG suggest these B21 variants should be considered a new emission as, in addition to a different type combination, none have die matches with other dies.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B34227 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.46g, 11mm). Bearded head of Silenos facing slightly right / Incuse head of roaring lion left. VF.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B61226 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g, 10mm). Head of Io in three-quarter view right / Forepart of a cow facing right, all within incuse square. VF. Carr coll.
Bodenstedt notes 4 examples of this emission. A further 10 examples, including this one, have appeared at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 530-522) EL 1/12 Stater - BE2220 views600-550 BC. EL 1/12 Stater (1.16g, 6mm). Head of calf right / Incuse square punch. VF. Carr coll.; ex Gorny & Mosch 191 (10/2010), lot 1521.
Bodenstedt noted a rare group of fractions having a calf head facing right on the obverse and incuse square punch on the reverse. He attributed this series to Mytilene. After Bodenstedt (1981) was published, some scholars suggested this series of emissions appears to equate to a Lydo-Milesian standard which may indicate it was minted in Ionia, perhaps during the Ionian Revolt - see Kayhan (2002), Plate 28 nos 732-734. Thus far, the series of fractions consists of 1/12 stater (this coin), 1/24 stater (see Coin ID #12959) and 1/48 stater (see Coin ID #12749).
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45a207 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 - B51206 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 - B49189 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 - B-184 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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