IONIA (?). Uncertain Mint. Period of the Ionian Revolt (ca. 500-494 BC). EL stater (19mm, 13.99 gm). NGC AU S 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Milesian standard. Head of roaring lion right, wearing beaded collar; raised irregular squares side-by-side behind / Incuse square punch with irregular interior surfaces. Apparently unpublished. Rare. Excellent centering on chunky flan, struck from finely engraved dies. From the Penn Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 42 (29 May 1997), 475; Tkalec, Auction (1994), lot 98 (Lesbos-Mytilene) Attribution of this issue has traditionally been assigned to Lesbos-Mytilene, however, being produced on the Milesian standard strongly suggests it should be placed under the period of the Ionian Revolt. Ionia had been conquered by the Persians ca. 540 BC and was being ruled by tyrants appointed to manage the various cities. The tyrant of Miletus, Aristogoras, launched a failed Persian invasion of Naxos, which then threated his position as tyrant, resulting in his decision to instead lead a rebellion of Ionian cities against Persia, itself.

HID09801242017

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