GAUL, Massalia. 490-480/470 BC. Obol (Silver, 10 mm, 1.15 g), Milesian standard, 'Auriol'. Lion's head to right, with open jaws. Rev. Irregular incuse square. Furtwängler T 21. Maurel 55. Rare. Well-struck and beautifully toned. Extremely fine.

From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions.

This lion's head, on an obol, with its mane shown in parallel lines, is quite similar to the lions' heads on the hektes from Phokaia and Mytilene. Do compare it with the head on the hemiobol in the following lot, which seems to be slightly later stylistically .