| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 30044 Price realized: 6,500 USD (Approx. 5,925 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients IONIA. Ephesus. Phanes (ca. 625-600 BC). EL sixth-stater or hecte (10mm, 2.35 gm). NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 - 4/5. Forepart of stag with patterned fur right, head reverted / Abstract geometric pattern within incuse square punch. Weidauer -, cf. 35 (stag left). Linzalone LN1103. A very rare denomination of the type, according to Linzalone. Satiny surfaces with lovely contrasting toning around the devices. From the Wetmore Collection of Gold and Electrum. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 105 (10 May 2017), lot 291. Phanes was evidently a Carian or Ephesian minister or aristocrat of the later 7th century BC. The name is known from a rare group of electrum staters and a lesser denominations that bear a stag and the Greek legend "I am the badge of Phanes" or "of Phanes." These are among the earliest coins to bear legends. It has also been speculated that the name refers to a divinity, perhaps Apollo-Phaneos (light-bringer) or Artemis (due to the stag). The Phanes coinage falls into seven denominations, from a full stater down to a 1/96 stater, all featuring the stag in various poses; only the full stater and third-stater or trite are inscribed, but the distinctive rendering of the stag links all denominations of the series to the same issuer. The fact that Phanes is otherwise unattested as a king or satrap indicates the first coins may have been struck by private individuals, rather than governments or royal courts. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-ionia-ephesus-phanes-ca-625-600-bc-el-sixth-stater-or-hecte-10mm-235-gm-ngc-choice-xfand-9733-/a/3113-30044.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 3000-5000 USD |  |
