| Naville Numismatics Ltd. > Auction 85 | Auction date: 19 November 2023 |
| Lot number: 100 Price realized: 3,000 GBP (Approx. 3,730 USD / 3,426 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Lycia, Uncertain dynast, circa 520-460 Reverse die punch circa 520-460, Æ 18.00 mm., 5.74 g. Blank. Rev. A plain triskeles within a square punch or die surrounded by a square line with a 'toothed' or ladder motif. For cf., SNG von Aulock 4057. BMC 34-35 var. An Interesting issue, only few authentic dies known. In exceptional condition and Good Extremely fine During the archaic period coins were often struck in a two staged process. Firstly the planchet was placed into the obverse die and a plain die was used to strike the coin which became fixed in the obverse. Then a second strike would be made using a punch as the present example to imprint the reverse type. The rest of the reverse field would be left untouched, however sometimes double striking or other signs of this process would manifest themselves on the reverse as well as die shift on the obverse. The question then presents itself whether these dies are official or those made by ancient forgers. The answer seems to be that the bulk of the dies which have come down to us from antiquity are those used in the production of forgeries. In this case however, we might be dealing with the product of an official mint given the precision of the work. There seems to be a fault on one edge which might suggest that this die was possibly discarded during the manufacturing process. In any case this unique survivor merits further study and shines a fascinating light on the techniques of coin production during the archaic period of Greek coinage. Starting price: 500 GBP |  |
