Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 251. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $950. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.14 g, 12h). Pella mint. Struck circa 286-281 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; monogram within wreath to outer left, monogram to inner left. Thompson 246 var. (inner left monogram); cf. Armenak 938 (same obv. die); CNG 70, lot 156 (same obv. die). Near EF.

By 285 BC, Pyrrhos’ rule over the western portion of Macedon had become onerous to the population, and they called on Lysimachos for help. Lysimachos, a long time friend of the Macedonians, easily occupied the area and incorporated it into his growing kingdom. The historical mint in this region, Pella, was quickly converted to produce Lysimachos type coinage, and subsequently produced a significantly large output of both staters and tetradrachms. It remained a loyal subject until Lysimachos’ death.