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IONIA, Ephesos. Phanes. Circa 625-600 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (10.5mm, 2.35 g). Forepart of stag right, head left / Incuse square with raised lines within. Fischer-Bossert, Phanes 19 (O14/R19L); Weidauer –; Adams I 78 (same obv. die). Minor marks and scrapes. Near EF.
The celebrated coins of Phanes – the first coins on which a legend appears – are known to be among the earliest Greek coins, as a hemihekte (twelfth stater) of the issue was found in the famous foundation deposit of the temple of Artemis at Ephesos, built circa 550 BC. It is this find spot, along with the design of the grazing stag, that suggests Ephesos as the mint. If indeed a person, the mysterious “Phanes” named on this piece was likely an Ephesian treasury minister or a private individual wealthy enough to strike his own coinage. An alternative reading of the legend as “Phaneos” (light-bringer) has also been proposed, perhaps referring to an aspect of Artemis or her brother, Apollo.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session One, which will begin 13 May at 9 AM ET.
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