ANCIENT GREECE. MYSIA, LAMPSAKOS.
Electrum Stater, circa 480-450 BC.
Obv: forepart of Pegasos with curved wings left; vine with bunches of grapes around. Rev: quadripartite incuse square.

Very Fine; a strong example of this much-loved early coinage.

Lampsakos, an ancient city perched on the eastern shores of the Hellespont, was a beacon of wealth and strategic importance in the ancient world. Its prime location on the trade routes linking Asia and Europe allowed Lampsakos to flourish, its prosperity reflected in the city’s famed electrum coinage. These coins, crafted from a rare and valuable alloy of gold and silver, were among the earliest and most admired in the Greek world. As with the present stater, most of the early coins bore the image of Pegasos, symbolising the city’s aspirations and connections to mythic grandeur, with the reverse displaying a striking incuse square, a mark of both artistry and tradition. Lampsakos’ electrum coins were not just currency but symbols of the city’s power and prestige, circulating far beyond its borders and earning a reputation for trustworthiness and high value.

From the Euclidean Collection.

Reference: Baldwin-Period I, Group II, 12; SNG BnF-1111; BMC-9; SNG von Aulock-1292; Boston MFA-1582.
Diameter: 19 mm.
Weight: 15.24 g.