Sikyonia. Sikyon. Circa 335-330 BC. Stater (Silver, 25 mm, 12.24 g, 9 h). ΣΕ Chimaera moving to the left on ground line, right paw raised; above to right, wreath. Rev. Dove flying to left with wings open above and below; below dove’s neck, Ι; all within olive wreath tied on the right and with branch ends meeting on the left. BCD Peloponnesos 219. BMC 56. Traité 775, pl. CCXX, 12. Lightly toned and most attractive. Extremely fine.
Ex Nomos 1, 6 May 2009, 67.
This lovely coin comes from an issue of staters produced at Sikyon after Alexander’s appeal for mercenaries in 334: they seemed to have been paid out as a signing bonus and then buried for safe-keeping. Unfortunately, many of these mercenaries never came back; thus, a number of coins from this issue have been found in excellent condition since they never circulated.