Attractive Archaic Style

196, Lot: 42. Estimate $500. Sold for $825. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Teos. Circa 510-500 BC. AR Drachm (14mm, 5.97 g). Griffin seated right, raising forepaw / Incuse square punch. Balcer group XX (unlisted dies); SNG Copenhagen -. VF, toned. Lovely archaic style.

A member city of the Ionian Dodekapolis, Teos was a thriving seaport with two fine harbors. It was the birthplace of Anakreon the poet, Hekataios the historian, Protagoras the sophist, Skythinos the poet, Andron the geographer, and Apellikon, the preserver of the works of Aristotle. When the Persians under Cyrus invaded circa 540 BC, many Teans fled, resettling in Abdera. The griffin was the badge of the city of Teos, and is present on the coins of both cities.