★ An exceptional early stater from Phaselis ★

LYCIA. Phaselis. Circa 500-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 18 mm, 10.93 g). Forepart of a galley to left, terminating in a boar's forepart; below, [dolphin]. Rev. Incuse square divided by two bands, with Λ-shaped feature in the lower section. Asyut 737-742. Heipp-Tamer Series 3, 36 ( same dies ). SNG von Aulock 4392. A fresh and exceptionally sharp example of this attractive early issue. The reverse struck from a worn die as usual, otherwise, extremely fine.

The appearance of ten early Phaselis staters in the Asyut Hoard and its common grouping with other early 5th century issues in trade indicates that the traditional dating of this series to 530-500 BC is likely too early: it was probably struck in the first decades of the 5th century.