World Coins, Banknotes & Medals
79
October 23, 2025 – 17:00 CET
World Coins – Ancient
Ancient Greece
2000
Lydian Kingdom, Croesus, after 561 BC, Sardes mint, AR hemi-stater or siglos, 4.78 g. (15 mm). Obverse: confronted
foreparts of lion facing right and bull facing left, each with outstretched forelegs. Reverse: two square punches side
by side, irregular interior surfaces. The very familiar proto-coin with vicious leaping lion, with natural toning and
patina and good details on the animal heads.
VF+, attractive with sharp features and dark toning.
When Croesus ascended to the Lydian throne circa 561 BC he ushered in a revolution in the world economy. The
most important reform attributed to Croesus was the introduction of a bimetallic coinage in gold and silver – the
first precious metal coinage to be minted – augmenting and then replacing the previous electrum issues. The lion
had previously been used by Lydian king Alyattes (c. 610 BC), and one theory is that this is a dynastic type, with the
lion representing Alyattes, and the bull representing his son and successor. The creation of separate gold and silver
denominations ranging from a full stater down to 1/96th of a stater was a visionary move that had a major impact on
the ancient economy.
CHF 500 - 1’000
2001
2002
2001
Attica, Athens, c. 440 BC, AR tetradrachm 17.24 g. (26 mm). Obverse: head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic
helmet adorned with olive leaves and palmette, with a circular earring. Reverse: owl standing right, head front, ΑΘΕ
to right of owl, crescent and olive twig with two leaves behind, all within incuse square.
EF, strongly struck on a characteristic irregular flan, with excellent relief and centreing to obverse, showing some luster
CHF 700 - 1’000
2002
Attica, Athens, c. 440 BC, AR tetradrachm 17.24 g. (26 mm). Obverse: head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic
helmet adorned with olive leaves and palmette, with a circular earring. Reverse: owl standing right, head front, ΑΘΕ
to right of owl, crescent and olive twig with two leaves behind, all within incuse square.
EF, strongly struck on a characteristic irregular flan, with excellent relief and centreing to reverse, with remarkable
raised lettering of the inscription.
Ex Baldwin’s.
CHF 700 - 1’000
250%