TYPE Ancient Greece, Olbia (Sarmatia), 5th-4th c. BC, cast bronze, 34 mm DESCRIPTION . Obv: Coin in the shape of a leaping dolphin, with eye and dorsal fin Rev: Similar to obv. REFERENCE: SG 1684v GRADING: VF, brown and olive green patina, some encrustation and red adhesion spots ORDER INFO: G2742, $72 While not as scarce as several years ago, this monetary issue remains unique in its design and fascinating in appearance; it has also been dated back a couple of centuries based on new evidence. The Black Sea city of Olbia (near present-day Odessa in the Ukraine - not to be confused with another ancient Black Sea locale - Odessos, near modern Varna in Bulgaria) was rather fascinating in itself. Situated at the northern edge of the classical Greek world, it managed to use its riches, coexist with its Scythian and other neighbors, and prosper for many centuries, despite its vulnerable position at the crossraods of historical moves and migrations. Despite some encrustation (verdigris adhesion), a fascinating example with extra metal (giving somewhat an appearance of "two back-to-back dolphins") around a complete and unusually clear cast dolphin shape, complete with eye and dorsal fin.