Triton XXII, Lot: 245. Estimate $5000. Sold for $9500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Ephesos. Circa 390-325 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 15.18 g, 12h). Demokrates, magistrate. Struck circa 350-340 BC. Bee with straight wings; E-Φ flanking head / Forepart of stag right, head left; palm tree to left, ΔHMOKPATHΣ to right. Pixodarus Class G, obv. die 123 (this coin referenced); SNG von Aulock –; SNG Copenhagen –; Prospero 504; Rhousopolos 3669 (this coin (?)); CNG 109, lot 150 (same rev. die). EF, deeply toned, a little off center on obverse.

From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Antiqua inventory 3031 (January 2013); Lanz 70 (21 November 1994), lot 115; G. Hirsch 161 (22 February 1989), lot 243. Reportedly ex Athanasios Rhousopoulos Collection (J. Hirsch XIII, 15 May 1905), lot 3669 (not illustrated).

From the consignor: This type is rather common but becomes significantly rarer when the body of the bee is full or nearly so, as here. The relief is so high that coins were either not fully struck up, or wore so fast during use that the bee suffers. Although slightly off center, this is a nice example for the issue.