IONIAN ISLANDS. Samos (?). Ca. 600-550 BC. EL stater (21mm, 17.38 gm). NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 4/5. Euboic-Samian standard. Raised abstract design, apparently random, possibly with central design / Two oblong incuse punches with irregular interiors. Weidauer 195. Linzalone LN1060. Very rare. This issue is usually described with an obverse as amorphous or random, however on this example it appears as though clear effort was made to create a central mirrored design of three segments with a large central globule termination, perhaps being a conjoined archaic predecessor of the facing lion scalp, a motif that was used by Samos for centuries. There is a beautiful electrum hecte issue from Samos (ca. 600-570 BC) which shows the head of a lioness or panther facing, surrounded by a field of rough marks, and perhaps this stater issue was minted before that clear type, or perhaps contemporary with it, and the design on this stater is an as of yet undetermined lion motif.

HID99912102018