Pre-Long Beach Auction #90

Troas, Gergis (?). Silver Diobol (1.42 g), 5th-4th centuries BC. Sphinx seated left, forepaw raised. Reverse: Facing gorgoneion within incuse square. Cf. Triton XVI, 437 (hemidrachm), otherwise unpublished. Toned. Choice Very Fine.

The pairing of stylistically similar gorgon reverses from Abydos and Kebren with their respective city badges as the obverse type provides a parallel with this coin. The city badge of Gergis was the sphinx, and appears subsequently on coins from the city. The comment in the Triton catalogue makes an astute observation: "the existence of now three cities in the Troad striking a common coinage suggests that there may have been a monetary alliance or symmachy in existence among them."
Estimated Value $250 - 350.