IONIA, Ephesos. Circa 420-405/4 BC. AR Obol (7.5mm, 0.51 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. VF.

Electronic Auction 614
Lot: 157.
Closing Date: Jul 29 2026 10:00 ET

Greek, Silver

Estimate: $ 100

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IONIA, Ephesos. Circa 420-405/4 BC. AR Obol (7.5mm, 0.51 g). Lydo-Milesian standard. Bee with curved wings; [E]-Φ flanking / Quadripartite incuse square. Karwiese II, Series 7.2.b var. (no ethnic); SNG Ashmolean –; CNG E-565, lot 111 (same obv. die). Lightly toned, some porosity. VF.

The style of the bee here is an exact match to Karwiese II, Series 7.2.b, 77 (V9), such that they are likely engraved by the same hand. It is also possible, given the compact flans of this series, that the ethnic was not visible on the one example that Karwiese illustrated, which also had been weakly struck where the E would have appeared. A close inspection of the photo of that coin also reveals what appears to be a traces of a Φ at the edge of the right field.

Closing Date and Time: 29 July 2026 at 10:52:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.