MYSIA. Kyzikos. Circa 450-330 BC. Hekte (Electrum, 11 mm, 2.69 g). Lion to right, gnawing on a curved sword; below, tunny to right. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. Hurter & Liewald II, 177.1. SNG Paris -, cf. 322 (stater). SNG von Aulock -, cf. 7313 (hemihekte). Von Fritze -, cf. 177 (stater). Very rare and of magnificent style. The obverse struck slightly off center, otherwise, good very fine.



An interesting detail of this powerful image is the depiction of the lion's tail, which winds around its right hind leg and touches the side of the tuna with its tip. In doing so, the engraver creates a close connection between the lion, the king of the animal kingdom, and the tunny, the emblem of the city of Kyzikos. It is also noteworthy that this type is often incorrectly described; the lion is not gnawing on a leg of prey, as stated in many reference works, but rather biting a curved sword.