Coin, Lydia, Alyattes
Hekte - 610-560 BC - Sardes - Very rare - EF(40-45) - Electrum
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Coin, Lydia, Alyattes, Hekte, 610-560 BC, Sardes, Very rare, EF(40-45), Electrum.
Lion's head right with open jaws, solar-disc above forehead, confronting open jaws of lion's head left (the latter out of flan)
Two incuse square punches
This early electrum hekte is remarkable in that it gives the name of the issuer, Walwel, in Archaic Lydian script. It is widely accepted that Walwel is the Lydian form of Alyattes, the Greek name of a powerful Lydian king whose reign is recorded in the Histories of Herodotos. Alyattes is considered the first of the Lydian kings to have struck a coinage in electrum while his son was the first to strike coins separately in gold and silver. This particular electrum issue was regularly struck using obverse dies that were larger than the coin flans. On this coin only a small part of the muzzle of the left-facing lion is visible
FALFEL
2.33 gr
An “EF(40-45)” quality
As in numismatics it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
Extremely Fine
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins retains much of its mint luster, sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
