561 BC Lydia Silver Half-Stater Lion Confronting Bull NGC AU 5x4

This ancient Lydian silver half-stater was issued after 561 BC during the reign of King Croesus or one of his successors. Lydia, located in western Anatolia, was renowned as the birthplace of coinage and for its immense wealth derived from electrum deposits in the Pactolus River. This particular issue represents the sophisticated monetary system that made Lydia a dominant commercial power in the ancient Mediterranean world.

The obverse features the classic Lydian design of a lion confronting a bull, symbolizing the eternal struggle between predator and prey. The design shows bold relief with well-defined muscular details on both animals, executed in the characteristic archaic style of 6th century BC Asian Minor coinage. The reverse displays the typical incuse square punch marks that were standard for early Lydian coinage, creating distinctive rectangular depressions that authenticated the coin's precious metal content.

This example has been graded AU with a strike rating of 5/5 and surface quality of 4/5 by NGC. The coin exhibits attractive silver-gray patina with excellent detail preservation despite its ancient age. Lydian coinage remains highly sought after by collectors due to its historical significance as among the world's earliest struck coins. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.