Phokaea, Ionia, Electrum Stater, 17mm, 16.46 gm.

Seal swimming left, devouring octopus clamped in its mouth;

in the field above, two, below, one raised square; at

the end of the trunk, Phi.

Two incuse squares of different sizes, set side by side.

Of the greatest rarity, probably the second known specimen

and of high numismatic interest. Oval flan, two cracks at edge.

Very fine

This remarkable stater is one of the most exciting ones

amongst all the early electrum staters of the eastern

Greek coinage. The representation of the seal devouring

a cephalopod is singular in Greek coinage, but reminds of

designs on Minoan and later vase paintings. Enigmatic are

the three raised squares in the field, their design reminds

of the incuse squares on the reverses of these early archaic

coins.