Ionia, Miletos Diobol (6th - 5th Century BC.). Forepart of Lion / Star-Floral Pattern (No reserve price)
05
days
12
hours
24
minutes
23
seconds
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 145414 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
An Archaic–Classical Ionian silver diobol from Miletos, struck in the 6th–5th century BC, featuring a lion’s forepart on the obverse and a star-like floral pattern in an incuse square on the reverse.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Important: Due to customs regulations, we ship exclusively within the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU delivery address before bidding.
Description:
Ionia. Miletos. AR Diobol. Struck 6th–5th century BC.
Obverse: Forepart of lion right, head turned back left.
Reverse: Star-like floral pattern within incuse square.
Diameter: 10,5 mm
Weight: 1,14 gr
Condition: See photos for condition, zoom in if needed.
Reference: SNG Cop 948
Historical Context:
Miletos was one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most powerful Ionian Greek cities on the western coast of Asia Minor, celebrated as a vital maritime trade hub and the birthplace of Western philosophy. During the Archaic and early Classical periods, the city controlled an extensive commercial network throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, necessitating a highly reliable fractional silver currency to facilitate regional trade.
The obverse displays the forepart of a lion with its head reverted—the famous civic emblem of Miletos, intimately connected to the sanctuary of Apollo Delphinios, the chief guardian deity of the city and its mariners. The reverse features a star-like ornate floral geometric pattern set inside an incuse punch mark, a design technique evolved from the earliest electrum coinages of Ionia. These silver diobols circulated widely as standard fractional units across the Aegean trade networks.
Prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to examine all photographs in conjunction with the used lighting and the stated dimensions, as high-resolution imagery may affect the perception of scale, and surface characteristics.
Important: Due to customs regulations, we ship exclusively within the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU delivery address before bidding.
Description:
Ionia. Miletos. AR Diobol. Struck 6th–5th century BC.
Obverse: Forepart of lion right, head turned back left.
Reverse: Star-like floral pattern within incuse square.
Diameter: 10,5 mm
Weight: 1,14 gr
Condition: See photos for condition, zoom in if needed.
Reference: SNG Cop 948
Historical Context:
Miletos was one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most powerful Ionian Greek cities on the western coast of Asia Minor, celebrated as a vital maritime trade hub and the birthplace of Western philosophy. During the Archaic and early Classical periods, the city controlled an extensive commercial network throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, necessitating a highly reliable fractional silver currency to facilitate regional trade.
The obverse displays the forepart of a lion with its head reverted—the famous civic emblem of Miletos, intimately connected to the sanctuary of Apollo Delphinios, the chief guardian deity of the city and its mariners. The reverse features a star-like ornate floral geometric pattern set inside an incuse punch mark, a design technique evolved from the earliest electrum coinages of Ionia. These silver diobols circulated widely as standard fractional units across the Aegean trade networks.
Prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to examine all photographs in conjunction with the used lighting and the stated dimensions, as high-resolution imagery may affect the perception of scale, and surface characteristics.
Details
Era
Before 1400
Weight
1.14 g
Culture/region
Ionia, Miletos
Year/period and variation
(6th - 5th Century BC.). Forepart of Lion / Star-Floral Pattern
Denomination
Diobol
Metal
AR
Condition
Ungraded
