ASIA MINOR, Uncertain. Early-mid 5th century BC. AR Diobol or Eighth Stater(?) (10mm, 1.24 g). Two wrestlers grappling; aryballos(?) between / Incuse square punch. Lanz 151, lot 501; cf. A. Milavic, “Research and analysis reveal the first Greek wrestler-type coin” in The Celator 7.2 (February 1993), pp. 6–12 = A. Milavic, “The First Greek Wrestler-Type Coin” in The International Journal of the History of Sport 10 (December 1993), pp. 409–17 (obol); otherwise, unpublished in the standard references. Toned, granular surfaces. VF. Extremely rare.
From the collection of Major Anthony F. Milavic, USMC (Ret.). Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 319 (29 January 2014), lot 101; Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 538 (November 1990), no. 98 (as Aspendos).
Although this obverse type is featured prominently on the staters of Aspendos and Selge, this fraction does seem not fit into the scheme of either city’s coinage. This type was not used on their coins until late in the 5th century, certainly too late for this issue. Also, the weights of the known pieces do not seem to comport with the weights of the other denominations at either city during the early-mid 5th century.
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