★ Ethiopian head issue ★

PHOKIS, Federal Coinage. Early 5th century BC. Obol (Silver, 8 mm, 0.77 g, 1 h), Delphi. Head of a male Ethiopian to right. Rev. Head of a ram to right; below, dolphin to right; all within incuse square. BCD 375.1 ( this coin ). Extremely rare and very interesting. Somewhat rough, otherwise, good fine.

Ex Auctiones E-Auction 54, 18 December 2016, 25, from the BCD Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica 55, 8 October, 2010, 375.1 and ex Münzen & Medaillen AG FPL 421, April 1980, 184.

The Ethiopian head on this coin is very likely a reference to Delphos, the eponymous founder of Delphi, who was a son of Poseidon and the black nymph Melaine (whose name literally means 'the Black').