Asia Minor Coins - Photo Gallery

Ancient Greek and Roman coins from Asia Minor


Most viewed - Lesbos
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Methymna (BC 450-400) Silenos - Hemiobol546 viewsca 400 BC. AR Hemiobol (?) (0.21g). Facing head of bearded Silenos / ΜΑ-Θ, hen standing right within dotted incuse square. VF, very rare.
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Antissa (BC 300-200) AE 7546 viewsca 4th-3rd century BC. AE7 (1.1g). Head of Herakles in lion's skin to left / A-N, upright club. Very fine.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B66543 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 10mm, 7h). Head of Ares right, wearing crested helmet decorated with forepart of griffin / Facing Corinthian helmet, linear frame around; all within incuse square. EF.

Bodenstedt notes 2 examples of this coin, this appears to be the 1st additional example to come auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B56541 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 521-478) EL Hekte - B15541 viewsca 521 - 478 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 10h, 10mm). Forepart of winged boar right / Incuse head of roaring lion right, rectangular punch behind. EF, B dies a/e.

Bodenstedt records thirty-six examples of this type. A further thirty-four examples have appeared in auction.
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Methymna (BC 500-450) Diobol540 viewsca 500/480-450 BC. AR Diobol (1.30g, 10mm). Gorgoneion / Helmeted head of Athena left in dotted square within incuse square. Rare. Dark hoard patina, light porosity. Very fine.
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Mytilene (BC 200-0) AE 14538 viewsca 2nd-1st cent BC. AE14 (2.59g). Bearded and horned head of Zeus Ammon right / M-Y/T-I, herm of bearded Dionysos in himation standing facing; thyrsos to left, monogram to right. Dark green patina, VF. Rare. Joy coll.
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Mytilene (BC 350-250) 1/4 Stater537 viewsca 350-250 BC. AR Hemidrachm (15mm, 2.62g, 5h). Laureate head of Apollo right / MY/T-I, lyre. VF, light porosity.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B-536 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B68536 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 454-427) EL Hekte - B53535 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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Methymna (BC 200-30) AE 534 views2nd-1st century BC. AE (4.02g). Head of Athena right, wearing crested Korinthian helmet / Μ-Α/Θ-Y, kantharos, small oinochoe to right. Dark olive-brown patina, VF. Rare.
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Methymna (BC 440-400) Hemiobol534 views5th-4th century BC. AR Hemiobol (0.22g, 6mm). Helmeted head of Athena left / Bunch of grapes in dotted incuse square. Toned, VF.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B72533 viewsca 400-350 BC. EL Hekte (2.55g, 12h). Head of Athena facing right, wearing Attic helmet, the side-flap turned up / Lion-scalp facing in thin square frame, all in incuse square. gVF. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B01533 viewsca 521 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g). Forepart of bull running left, M before / Incuse head of roaring lion left, incuse punches behind. Rare. gVF.
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Methymna (BC 500-450) Diobol531 viewsca 500/480-460 BC. AR Diobol (1.32g). Gorgoneion / Helmeted head of Athena left in dotted square within incuse square. Rare. Dark toning, light porosity. EF.
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Methymna (BC 450-400) Silenos - Hemiobol529 viewsca 425-385 BC. AR Hemiobol (0.23g, 10h). Facing head of bearded Silenos / ΜΑ-Θ, hen standing right within dotted incuse square. VF, very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B78529 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B103524 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.6g, 11mm). Laureate head of Zeus right / Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin, within linear frame. nEF. Carr coll.

It has been suggested that these are portraits of Philip II as Zeus and Alexander the Great as Herakles. Five examples of this coin type are recorded in Bodenstedt and nine further examples have appeared in auction.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B13523 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.54g, 7h, 10mm). Head of roaring lion facing right / Incuse head of calf facing right; rectangular punch behind. VF.
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Mytilene (BC 400-350) Diobol522 viewsca 400-350 BC. AR Diobol (1.30g). Laureate head of Apollo right / MYTI, female head right. Hornsilver, VF.
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Methymna (BC 450-400) Silenos - Obol521 views5th century BC. AR Obol (0.41g, 6h). Head of bearded Silenos facing / Land turtle in dotted square border within incuse square. aEF.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B14521 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g). Head of roaring lion right, ΛE to left (facing outward, E retrograde) / Incuse head of calf right with collar, incuse rectangular punch behind. One of the finest known to capture all elements of the type, gVF. Carr coll.

Thirteen examples known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the tenth example offered at electronic auction or sale. The obverse is one of the five coin types noted by Bodenstedt (B14, B20, B23, B28 and B35) that bear the initial letters of the name of the island - Lesbos.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B62518 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte. Female head, three quarters facing right / Confronting and overlapping female heads within incuse square. One known to Bodenstedt. A further example has yet to appear at auction.

The obverse appears to have a die match with that of B61 and the reverse appears to have a die match with that of B55. The die matches are not conclusive due to the different relative wear of the respective examples. However, the obverse and reverse are firmly related to earlier emissions.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B79518 viewsca 412-378 BC. EL Hekte (2.52g, 11mm). Female head right, with hair in sakkos / Kithara within linear border. gVF.
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Mytilene (AD 211-217) AE 43 - Caracalla517 viewsCaracalla, 211-217 AD. AE43 - Medallion (48.79g). ΑΥΤΟΚ[ΡΑΤ Μ] ΑΥΡΗ [ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC], laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / ЄΠΙ CΤΡΑ [ΠO] ΙΟΥΛΙΟΥ ΛЄ[ONTЄω] / ΜΥΤΙΛΗ/[ΝΑΙΩΝ], in two lines in exergue, Caracalla, holding sceptre in left hand, standing in chariot drawn by four horses to left, preceded by a Roman soldier; trophy and two captives on a pedestal in the background. Black patina. Almost very fine.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B27517 viewsca 478­-455 BC. EL Hekte (10.5mm, 2.52g, 5h). Head of ram right; below, cock standing left / Incuse head of bull right. Good VF, lightly toned. Unusual centering, allowing full view of cock.
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Mytilene (AD 5) AE 20 - Theophanes & Archedamis515 viewsTime of Augustus, ca 5 AD. Theophanes, with Archedamis, died 44-36 BC. AE20 (4.46g, 6h). ΘЄOC ΘЄOΦANHC, bare head of Theophanes right / ΘЄA APXЄΔAMIC, draped and veiled bust of Archedamis right. Rare. Ex Wagner Coll.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B59514 viewsca 454-427 BC. EL Hekte (2.56g, 11mm, 1h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Goat head to right within square linear frame. EF.

8 known to Bodenstedt, this appears to be the 9th additional offered at auction.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B14513 viewsca 521-478 BC. EL Hekte (2.4g, 10mm). Head of roaring lion right, ΛE to left / Incuse head of calf right. Near EF.

Bodenstedt records thirteen examples of this type. A further nine examples have appeared in auction.
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Methymna (BC 450-400) Triobol512 viewsca 450-406 BC. AR Triobol / Hemidrachm (11mm, 1.54g). Helmeted head of Athena left / M-A, head of lion or panther facing within dotted incuse square. VF.
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Methymna (BC 400-360) Silenos - Obol511 viewsca 350/30-250/40 BC. AR Hemiobol (6mm, 0.34g, 8h). Facing head of Silenos / Tortoise within circular border within shallow incuse circle. VF, porosity.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B50507 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 - B36507 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 - B43507 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B90 type 6 506 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.53g, 10mm). Wreathed head of young Dionysos right/ Facing large head of satyr with small ‘animal ears’, shaggy hair, close cropped beard and moustache, furrowed brow, ivy leaf top right in field, all within linear square. EF. Carr coll.

Bodenstedt notes 16 obv. and 25 rev. dies. His reverse die varieties can be simplified to small variations of 3 different head types and 4 “motifs” that 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 (as in this example). The 4 “motifs” are additions in the field: an 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.

These 7 simplified reverse varieties/types for Bodenstedt 90 have been described elsewhere on this website (see Coin ID #11346). Second known from auction.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B44504 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 - B51504 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B91504 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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Methymna (BC 450-400) Triobol501 viewsca 420-377 BC. AR Triobol (1.46g, 10mm). Helmeted head of Athena right / M - A, head of panther facing within incuse square. VF. Rare.
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Methymna (BC 360-330) Obol501 viewsca 450/40-406/379 BC. AR Obol (8mm, 0.46g, 9h). Helmeted head of Athena right / Kantharos; M-A-Θ counterclockwise around. VF, minor roughness on reverse.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B55500 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B90498 viewsca 377-326 BC. EL Hekte (2.51g, 9h). Wreathed head of young Dionysos right/ Facing hairy large head of satyr, bunch of grapes in lower left field within linear square. Carr coll.

There are 6 varieties of reverses for Bodenstedt 90 and of this variety 5 known at time of sale. This coin appears on pages 226 and 227 as plate LN1168 in Joseph Linzalone’s book “Electrum and the Invention of Coinage”. Ex Demetrios Armounta Coll. Ex CNG 75 (5/2007) lot 347; Ex CNG 94 (9/2013), lot 498.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B56497 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 250-200) AE 17496 viewsca 250-200 BC. AE17 (4.25g, 11h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Lyre; monograms to lower left and right. VF, dark green and brown patina. Wagner Coll.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B24496 viewsca 478-455 BC. EL Hekte (2.49g, 12h). Head of roaring lion right / Incuse head of calf right. Carr coll.

One of the better struck examples of this type, but with very long tongue. Eight known to Bodenstedt, four others known of which this is the fourth.
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B-495 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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Methymna (BC 360-330) Obol487 viewsca 450-406 BC. AR Obol (0.52g, 8mm). Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet / Kantharos, Μ-A-Θ, within linear incuse circle. VF. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B58485 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 377-326) EL Hekte - B95 var.484 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 type”.
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Mytilene (BC 400-350) Obol483 viewsca 400-350 BC. AR Obol (0.66g, 9mm). Lyre / M/Y/TI, lyre. Very rare. VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B49483 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 440-400) Hemiobol481 viewsca 440-400 BC. AR Hemiobol (8mm, 0.26g, 11h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Calf’s head right within incuse square.V F, a little porous.
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Pyrrha (BC 4th cent) AE 11481 views4th century BC. AE11 (1.12g, 1h). Head of the nymph Pyrrha left, hair bound in sphendone / Goat standing left; ΠΥΡ above, grape bunch(?) to left. Near VF, dark green patina. Alighieri Coll.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B-475 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 521-478) EL Hekte - B04474 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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Methymna (BC 440-379) Hemiobol473 viewsca 400 BC. AR Hemiobol (0.31g). Land turtle / Wreath. Very rare. VF.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B? 472 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 - B64/65471 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 454-427) EL Hekte - B37 Fourrée470 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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Methymna (BC 450-400) Silenos - Obol469 views5th century BC. AR Obol (0.57g). Head of bearded Silenos facing / Facing head of panther within incuse square. Unpublished?
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Pordosilene (AD 1-200) AE 16468 views1st-2nd century AD. AE16 (2.05g). Panther advancing right / snake on altar. Very fine.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B87 (unlisted reverse die)468 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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Methymna (BC 450-400) Silenos - Obol467 views5th century BC. AR Obol (0.59g). Head of bearded Silenos facing / Facing head of panther within incuse square. Unpublished?
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Mytilene (BC 477-455) EL Hekte - B27466 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 454-427) EL Hekte - B49465 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 521-478) EL Hekte - B09465 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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Pordosilene (AD 100-300) AE464 viewsImperial times, 2nd-3rd century AD. AE (1.60g). Bust of Athena right, wearing Korinthian helmet with aegis / ΠΟΡΟCΕΛ[...], Telesphoros standing facing. VF.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B45a464 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 - B42464 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 - B42463 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 521-478) EL Hekte - B13462 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 - B08460 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 521-478) EL Hekte - B20456 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 - B01455 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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Methymna (BC 440-400) Hemiobol454 viewsca 410-350 BC. AR Hemiobol (0.25g, 7mm). Head of Athena left, wearing Attic helmet / Bunch of grapes within dotted incuse square. VF. Very rare.
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Mytilene (BC 530-522) EL 1/24 Stater - BE- 454 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 (AD 138-161) AE 18 - Lucius Verus453 viewsLucius Verus, as Caesar, 138-161 AD. AE18 (2.43g, 12h). Bare head right / Facing term with head of Dionysos, wearing kalathos. Near VF, brown and green patina. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 521-478) EL Hekte - B03451 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 - B45451 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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Methymna (BC 500-450) Diobol449 viewsca 500/480-460 BC. AR Diobol (1.48g, 12mm). Facing gorgoneion, tongue protruding / Helmeted head of Athena left in dotted square; all within incuse square. EF. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B71447 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 - B48443 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 - B56443 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 - B49441 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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Methymna (BC 450-400) Nymph - Hemiobol439 viewsa 400 BC. AR Hemiobol (6mm, 0.25g). Head of nymph left, wearing sakkos and earring / Cock walking right, crescent above; within dotted square border within square incuse. VF. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B46438 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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Methymna (BC 450-400) Silenos - Hemiobol435 viewsca 400 BC. AR Hemiobol (?) (0.21g). Facing head of bearded Silenos / Grape bunch, crescent in right field, within dotted incuse square. VF, very rare, unpublished.
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Methymna (BC 450-400) Nymph - Hemiobol435 viewsca 500/480-460 BC. AR Hemiobol (7mm, 0.26g, 12h). Female head right, hair bound in sakkos / Cock standing right within incuse square. VF, some porosity. Rare. Lee Coll.
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Mytilene (AD 193-211) AE 35 - Septimius Severus434 viewsSeptimius Severus, 193-211 AD. AE35 (22.03g, 12h). Artemon, strategos. [AVT KAI Λ CЄΠ] CЄV HPOC ΠЄPTINAΞ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / [ЄΠI CTPA] APTЄMΩNOC TOY CЄKOVNΔOV/ M[VTIΛH]N, Septimius, wearing military attire, on horseback right, raising right hand and holding scepter in left. Good VF, brown patina. Very rare. Group CEM; ex Aufhäuser 13 (10/1997), lot 418; De Nicola Coll.
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Mytilene (BC 454-427) EL Hekte - B59432 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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Methymna (BC 450-400) Nymph - Hemiobol431 viewsca 450/40-406/379 BC. AR Hemiobol (7mm, 0.25g, 5h). Head of a nymph right, hair bound in sakkos / MAΘ, hen standing right. VF, spotty hoard patina. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B65 var.429 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 521-478) EL 1/24 Stater - B- 426 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 412-378) EL Hekte - B66425 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 (AD 81-96) AE 19 - Sextus & Andromeda425 viewsTime of Domitian, 81-96 AD AE19 (3.23g). CЄITOC NЄOC MAKAP, head of Sextus right / ANΔPOMЄΔA NЄA ΛЄC, bust of Andromeda right. Extremely Rare. gVF. Ex Bank Leu - Münzen und Medaillen sale (10/1966), Niggeler part. II, 613.
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Mytilene (BC 412-378) EL Hekte - B78424 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 350-250) Stater423 viewsca 350-300 BC. AR Stater (11.15g, 23mm, 11h). Laureate head of Apollo right / Kithara with fillet attached, plectron to left, MY-T-I around; all within linear frame. Very Rare. Good Extremely Fine. Ex Peus 343 (4/1995), lot 140.
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Methymna (BC 450-400) Triobol421 viewsca 450/40-406/379 BC. AR Triobol (1.51g, 11mm). Helmeted head of Athena left / M - A, head of lion facing within pelleted border; all within incuse square. gVF. Rare.
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Mytilene (BC 377-326) EL Hekte - B97420 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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