★ A highly interesting optical illusion ★

LESBOS. Mytilene. Circa 454-428/7 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 11 mm, 2.46 g, 7 h). Helmeted head of Athena to right. Rev. Two confronted female heads, their faces overlapping, within incuse square. Bodenstedt 55. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock -. Rare and interesting. Scuff on the obverse and with some marks, otherwise, nearly very fine.

The overlapping faces on the reverse of this coin confuse our eyes by creating a highly interesting optical illusion. As such, the type is unique in all of ancient coinage and of great interest to art historians.