★ From the C. Flinsch, W. Niggeler, R. Jameson and M. H. Montagu Collections, pedigreed to 1896 ★

IONIA. Phokaia. Circa 625/0-522 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 11 mm, 2.57 g). Head of a griffin with open beak to left; behind, seal upward. Rev. Incuse square punch. Bodenstedt 22.1.4 and pl. 44, c/δ ( this coin ). Jameson 1510 ( this coin ). Traité II, 2091 and pl. 158, 2 ( this coin ). A beautifully toned piece of vigorous style with an exceptionally impressive pedigree. Struck slightly off center and with a minor flan crack, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From the collection of Dr. med. Cora Flinsch (1920-2022) and from a 'Distinguished American Collection', Leu 52, 15 May 1991, 93, from the W. Niggeler Collection, Bank Leu/Münzen & Medaillen AG, 3-4 December 1965, 385, and from the collections of R. Jameson (1861-1942), of H. Osborne O'Hagan, Esq., Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 4-9 May 1908, 579, and of M. H. Montagu, Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 23 March 1896, 577 (there acquired by O'Hagan for 2 Pounds). This piece boasts one of the most distinguished provenances of any hekte. The list of former owners is both long and illustrious: in addition to Dr. Cora Flinsch and the anonymous collector of the 'Distinguished American Collection,' the coin has passed through the hands of W. Niggeler, R. Jameson, H. Osborne O’Hagan, and M. H. Montagu over the past 130 years.