Greek Anatolia, Lycian League, Masikytes Mint, ca. 30 to 27 BCE. AR hemidrachm (1.83 g). Laureate head of Apollo to right. Lyre within incuse square. Ex. David P. Herman, 1051. Cp. RPC 3312. Size: 0.55" W (1.4 cm).

Lycia is a fascinating place; they minted their own coinage despite being ruled by a variety of groups prior to the conquest of Alexander, and are credited with the first use of coin portraits that we know of. The Lycian League was an unprecedented political organization, a confederation of over twenty cities and communities formed to protect the interests of the region, and with each member given representation on a Council based on its population. The League maintained its own army and, unlike earlier versions of similar federations, was not dominated by a single large member.

Provenance: ex-Matrisciano collection, California, USA

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#120811

Choice and about mint.