597.  Time  of Kroisos.  To 520  BC or  later. AV  Stater (8.05  gm). Light
Series.  Struck at Sardes.  Confronted foreparts  of a roaring  lion facing
right  and bull  facing left /  Double incuse  punch. SNG von  Aulock 2875;
Boston MFA 2073; Dewing 2431. Good VF. ($3500)

The light weight gold stater of circa 8.10 grams was introduced either late
in the reign of Kroisos or after the Persian conquest of Lydia and
continued as the primary medium of circulation in the western part of the
empire until the introduction of the royal Persian series circa 510 BC. In
Harlan Berk’s list 119, he discusses the coinage of Kroisos and suggests a
stylistic distinction between what he calls lifetime light series staters
and post-Persian conquest staters. The difference is in the more detailed
and delicate rendering of the lion and bull on Kroisos’ issues, while the
Persian coins have a stiffer and less animated appearance.


CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 597.
 
Lot was unsold.


Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com