ISLANDS OFF IONIA, Samos. Circa 489/8-482/1 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 18 mm, 12.39 g). Facing scalp of a lion. Rev. Head of an ox to right within incuse square. Asyut 648. Barron Class I. Very rare. Die breaks on the obverse and slightly granular, otherwise, very fine.


This coin is part of the very rare first series of Samos tetradrachms. Barron dated them to the period of the Ionian revolt (499-494 BC), but hoard evidence indicates that the issue was probably struck right after the return of the Samians from their exile in 489/8 BC.