TYPE Ancient Greece, Istros (Thrace), 4th c. BC, silver obol(?, sixteenth stater?), 0.38g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Two male heads facing, right one inverted Rev: Sea eagle on dolphin, Greek legend ISTRIE (mostly off the top edge of flan), symbol T below REFERENCE: Cop 201, Mu 137A, cf. SG 1669 (stater) GRADING: AEF / VF+, somewhat grainy-crystallized, rare denomination ORDER INFO: G3062, $120 The unique and interesting obverse design has several possible interpretations, including the Dioskouri, the rising and setting sun and the final two branches of the Danube (ancient Ister). While hardly reflecting zoological reality - as an 18-pound eagle is unlikely to attack a much heavier dolphin at sea - the reverse scene, present on coinages of two Black Sea cities (Istros and Sinope - though rather distant, they were both originally Milesian colonies) might have some symbolic significance in juxtaposing two leading deities - Zeus and Poseidon - through their sacred animals. Rare miniature denomination displaying, despite graininess, some excellent detail on both sides.