437, Lot: 159. Estimate $300. Sold for $830. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CYPRUS, Lapethos. Sidqmelek(?). Circa 450-425 BC. AR Stater (18mm, 10.93 g, 1h). Helmeted head of Athena left / Helmeted head of Athena right; monogram to upper right; all in dotted square within incuse square. Cf. Zapiti & Michaelidou 2 (same obv. die, rev. type facing); cf. Tziambazis 48 (same obv. die as illustration, same); cf. ACGC 1093 (same obv. die, same); SNG Copenhagen –; CNG E-435, lot 129 (same dies). Near VF, lightly toned, obverse die very worn, test cut on reverse. Extremely rare, unpublished in the standard references.

This coin is obverse die linked to an issue of Sidqmelek with the facing head Athena reverse type. However, those coins also have the name of the king on the reverse, which is not present on this issue. Thus, due to the die wear on the obverse, it is possible that this may be a coin of an unknown king that succeeded him.