LESBOS. Mytilene (?). Circa 500/450 BC. 1/24 Stater (Billon, 7 mm, 0.56 g, 12 h). Confronted heads of two boars; above, M. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. HGC 6, 1071. Rosen 544 var. (no M above heads). SNG Copenhagen 288 var. (same). SNG v. Aulock -. Very rare. Well centered and nicely toned. Nearly extremely fine.


The billon fractions from Lesbos showing confronted boar heads on the obverse often bear a variety of letters, most likely partial ethnics, including M, MY, ΛE, and ΛΕΣ, pointing to a federal Lesbian coinage most likely struck at Mytilene.