IONIA. Ephesos. Phanes, circa 625-600 BC. Hekte (Subaeratus, 9 mm, 1.87 g), a contemporary plated imitation. Forepart of a stag to left, head turned back to right; before, pellet with three leaves arround. Rev. Abstract geometric pattern within incuse square punch. Cf. Fischer-Bossert, Phanes, 13α. Cf. Weidauer 35 var. (differing obverse symbol). Minor breaks in plating, otherwise, very fine.


The history of coinage is also a history of forgeries, and this coin is among the earliest recorded examples of a plated forgery, where a thin outer layer of precious metal covers a base metal core.