Lydia Uncertain (BC 4th cent) AE 12

Sardeis? 4th century BC. AE12 (1.5 g, 12h). Head of Dionysios left, wearing ivy wreath / Kantharos; F and S (in Lydian) flanking. Good VF, brown patina. Very rare. Ex Gorny & Mosch 203 (3/2012), lot 197 (Naxos).

In previous sales, this issue has been attributed to either Cycladic Naxos or Syros. While both cities struck coins with same types, all of these cities’ bronzes consistently bear the first two letters of their respective ethnic flanking the base of the kantharos. On this issue, these Greek letters have been replaced by two Lydian letters, allowing its correct attribution to a mint in Lydia. Sardeis is a possibility, as it’s spelling in Lydian was Sfard.