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Nomos 38

Zurich, 31 May 2026, 14:00 CEST 

Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Limmatquai 54, 8001 Zurich
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Estimate: 2500 CHF
Hammer Price:  3200 CHF
Lot 276
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MYSIA. Kyzikos. Circa 500-450 BC. Stater (Electrum, 18.5 mm, 16.23 g). Sphinx seated to left; between the Sphinx's forelegs and hindlegs, the head of a tunny fish to right; before, tunny fish upwards. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. SNG Paris -. SNG von Aulock -. Von Fritze I, 73 (same dies, a coin once in the Jakountchikoff Collection, St. Petersburg); for another example from the same obverse die, see Roma, E-61, 20. Extremely rare. Clear and well-centered. Minor marks, otherwise, very fine.



The remarkably close affinity between the sphinx who appears on this coin (with a tunny fish) and the one that appears on the coinage of Chios (with an amphora) almost certainly means that the Kyzikene piece was meant to be a homage to Chios. Perhaps the Kyzikene magistrate responsible for this issue had familial or trading relations with that Ionian island.

Online bidding closes: 31 May 2026, 09:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 6 Sep 2026, 13:13:20 CEST Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:3200 CHF
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