Cypriot Idalion silver Silos: Archaic II (500-480 BC)

Very rare variant of the earliest coins issued by the Kingdom of Idalion. Struck on very asymmetrical flan. Later coins had a lotus flower on the reverse. Test cuts were made by users in ancient times to check for fakes made of base metal but coated with silver or gold. Below the sphinx and within the incuse of the reverse punch are traces of an older unidentified coin which was overstruck to make this one – perhaps a reason for the strange flan shape. Kition coins in particular are frequently overstruck on Aegina coins obtained in trade. Idalion was conquered by Kition in around 450 BC and thereafter did not issue coins.

Sphinx seated facing right with raised left foreleg, above a palmette. Traces from an overstrike below, and above left, a rosette. All within dotted circle. Reverse blank with irregular incuse punch.

Asyut 777 var (earlier type missing rosette). BMC 2-4 var. SNG Copenhagen. Tziambazis (cf 40 but this coin later).