The First Coin Type of Marion

427, Lot: 272. Estimate $750. Sold for $2750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CYPRUS, Marion. Sasmas. Circa 470-450 BC. AR Stater (19mm, 11.10 g, 10h). Lion standing right, licking its right foreleg; Boiotian shield above, [sa–sa–ma–o to-ka-ro-to-sa (“Sasmas, son of Doxandros” in Cypriot) across upper field], floral pattern in exergue / Phrixos standing left, clinging to the back of a ram advancing left; ma–ri–eu–se (“of Marion” in Cypriot) on left and below (only traces visible), Boiotian shield below; all within incuse square. Zapiti & Michaelidou 1; Tziambazis 50; BMC p. 71, 1 = Traité II 1366; SNG Copenhagen 24; ACGC 1108 = E.S.G. Robinson, “British Museum Acquisitions for the Years 1933-1934” in NC 1936, 45; E.S.G. Robinson, “British Museum Acquisitions for 1930-31” in NC 1932, 10; Kunstfreund 168; Triton XVII, lot 356 = Triton XV, lot 1264 (all from the same dies). Near VF, typical irregular flan, area of flat strike, a couple marks. The first coin type of Marion. Very rare, only two in CoinArchives.