Greece, Aegina, Saronic Islands, ca. 457 to 350 BCE. AR stater (11.7 g). Obverse: Land tortoise with segmented shell, seen from above. Reverse: Five-part incuse with skew pattern. HGC 6, 437. Milbank pl. II, 12. SNG Copenhagen 517. Size: 0.8" W (2 cm)

The Saronic Islands are an archipelago in the wide body of water off the western coast of Athens, and the island of Aegina is the second largest in the chain. The sea-turtle or tortoise was a symbol of the island from its very earliest coins, ca. 650 BCE. The uniformity of its coins over the centuries suggests that it served as an internationally-traded currency and keeping it easily identifiable was more important than the mercurial whims of its rulers. This coin emphasizes Aegina's role as a major commercial state in Greece - so desirable that Athens conquered it in ca. 457 BCE.

Provenance: private Healy collection, Studio City, California, USA, acquired over the last twenty years

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#124253

Choice VF in high relief. A choice example of this highly desirable type.