Triton XV, Lot: 635. Estimate $100. Sold for $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THESSALY, Pharsalos. Mid to late 5th century BC. AR Hemidrachm (15.5mm, 2.23 g, 12h). Head of Athena r., wearing crested Attic helmet / Φ-AR on the l., downwards and upside down, horse’s head and neck left, all in an incuse square. Unpublished and unique (?). Good Fine, toned; some light scratches on the rev. that is partly flat struck; a fascinating curiosity.

The obverse die of this intriguing coin, apparently the only known with the reverse type to left, has been copied from Lavva’s V11 obverse. Its light weight and odd style suggest an irregular issue, probably from an unofficial mint.