Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 2436. Estimate $200.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $220. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARGOLIS, Argos. Circa 330-270 BC. AR Triobol (2.77 g, 9h). Forepart of wolf at bay right / Large A; Π-P across upper field, bow and club left below; all within incuse square. BCD Peloponnesos 1083.6. VF, toned, partial flat strike on obverse, unusual artifact on obverse (see below).

Ex BCD Collection (not in LHS sale).

Behind the wolf on the obverse, there appears to be the remnant of a clashed die. One can discern below the wolf’s head the incuse of part of the reverse type: the left side of the large A and the bow and club below. What is perplexing is the linear design in relief that is visible above the wolf’s neck, that appears to be part of a square border around the reverse type. This linear device negates the possibility of this all being the result of a clashed die. Perhaps the obverse die used here may have originally been partially engraved with the reverse type, and the linear design was simply a border used as a guide that was later removed. A perplexing and very unusual occurrence for any ancient coin.