IONIA. Uncertain mint. Ca. 650-600 BC. EL third-stater or trite (12mm, 4.64 gm). NGC Choice XF 3/5 - 4/5, flan flaw. Lydo-Milesian standard. Blank convex surface / Two incuse squares with irregular interior surfaces, side-by-side, slightly offset. Linzalone LN1005-1008. Cf. Weidaur 7 (hecte). Cf. SNG Kayhan 673 (hecte). SNG Von Aulock 7762. While the sequence of issues for the earliest electrum coinage is still imperfectly understood, recent discoveries have begun to clarify the picture. It is now evident that the first "coins" were pre-weighed electrum globules of no particular design but conforming to the weight standard prevalent in Ionia and Lydia, a "stater" of about 14 grams and its fractions. Next came pieces bearing simple punch patterns on the "reverse," but with a blank "obverse," as seen here. These were followed quickly by pieces being a series of parallel striations, the first example of something that could be termed an obverse "type." Thus this "typeless trite" issue is among the very first coins struck by any culture.

HID09801242017

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