KYRENAICA. Kyrene. Circa 510-490 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 20 mm, 7.90 g), Attic standard. Stylized Silphion plant with two fruits, set base-to-base. Rev. Incuse square divided by a thick vertical line and with geometric and floral pattern in the two sections. BMC -. Boston MFA -. Buttrey -. SNG Copenhagen -. Apparently unpublished and with an intricate reverse design. Somewhat granular and with minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, very fine.


The archaic mint of Kyrene experimented extensively with unusual reverse incuses, but this piece is particularly remarkable. It shows two incuses, both decorated with intricate geometric and floral patterns. Their basic structure is similar, yet one is centred on a lozenge with a central dot, while the other features a rectangle containing three adjoining dots.