MYSIA. Zeleia (?). 5th century BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 10 mm, 2.06 g, 1 h). Chimaera leaping right. Rev. Facing gorgoneion within shallow incuse square. BMFA 2325. Roma E-Auction 57 (2019), 387 (same dies). Cf. SNG Ariantürk 796-797 (obols). Six (NC 1890), p. 235, 16-16bis. Very rare. The obverse somewhat rough, otherwise, very fine.


This interesting early 5th-century series, comprised of obols, triobols or hemidrachms and a unique drachm (CNG E-Auction 174 [2007], 58), all feature a chimaera in different poses on the obverse and a facing gorgoneion in an incuse square on the reverse. They have recently been attributed to the mint of Zeleia (now believed to be in Mysia, not Troas) in SNG Arikantürk, thus antedating the earliest coinage of this city by a century.