Ionia Uncertain (BC 600-550) Lion - EL 1/2

ca 600 BC. EL Hemistater (8.35g). Phokaian standard. Figural type. Head of roaring lion right / Irregular incuse. Good VF. Unique.

While this coin appears to belong to Wiedauer's Series XLIII (lion head), the style of both the lion and the incuse are somewhat different. In particular, the incuses on the Wiedauer coins are shallower and have rough irregular patterns in relief. The incuse on the present coin is much deeper and has a smooth surface that flows to varying depths. Although these differences suggest this coin belongs to another series or issue, it is also possible, because there are no published hemistaters of this type, that this coin represents the norm for this particular denomination.