IONIA. Uncertain, perhaps Samos. Circa 600-570 BC. Hemistater (Electrum, 19 mm, 8.70 g), Euboic-Samian standard. Surface with irregular markings resembling letter forms. Rev. A square and a rectangle incuse, each with irregular markings. Unpublished. Extremely rare, and of a most curious design. About extremely fine.

From the Acer Rubrum Collection acquired in 2013.

This hemistater shares its reverse punch pattern and weight standard with the rare series from Samos, though any attribution to that island is speculative. The obverse, as with those of the Samian coins, appears random, but upon close examination, the pattern seems be deliberately with a letter-like design.