Greece (Ionia, Phokaia): ca. 478-387 BC electrum hekte

Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena right, dolphin (partially off flan) swimming left below.

Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square.

Issuer: Phokaia (Phocaea) in Ionia.

Specifications: Electrum, 9 mm, 2.53 g.

Grade: NGC VF; Strike 5/5, Surface 3/5; cert. #4280918-001. Purchased raw.

Reference: Bodenstedt Ph.91.

Provenance: Ex-Germania Inferior Numismatics, Netherlands, via VCoins store, 9 June 2017.

Notes: The world's earliest coinage was struck in electrum, and many had simple punch mark designs like the reverse of this one.

Comments: This was my first electrum coin. It is a tiny masterpiece.