IONIA. Phocaea. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 19 mm, 3.41 g, 7 h), circa 238-260. ΦO-KЄA Turreted and draped bust of the city-goddess to right. Rev. ΦOKAIЄ/ΩN Hound right, attacking dolphin. SNG Copenhagen 1059. SNG von Aulock 2141. Rare. A very interesting issue. Very fine.


Head has suggested that this enigmatic reverse type may be a representation of the local river Smardos, in the form of a dog, rushing down to the sea, personified by the dolphin. Whether this is true or whether the reverse alludes to an otherwise unattested local myth is unknown.