IONIA. Phocaea. Ca. 477-388 BC. EL sixth-stater or hecte (11mm, 2.54 gm). NGC VF S 5/5 - 4/5. Laureate, bearded head of King Midas left with ears of an ass; seal downward behind / Quadripartite incuse square. Bodenstedt 66. SNG Copenhagen 1025. Rare type and the first example we have offered. From the Historical Scholar Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 72 (14 Just 2006), lot 742 This issue is the only Greek (non-Roman Imperial) coin to bear the portrait of the famous King Midas of Phrygia. Apollo cursed Midas with ass's ears when he declared Marsyas was a better musician than Apollo. Later, he was "gifted" the Golden Touch after requesting great wealth from Dionysus when asked what he would like to receive for being a generous host to Silenus. To cure him of the touch he was told to cleanse himself in the Pactolus River, which then became famous for its bountiful electrum - the source of the wealth of the Lydian Kingdom.

HID09801242017

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