Portrait of Patraos?

Sale: CNG 76, Lot: 327. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2007.  Sold For $700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PAEONIA. Patraos. Circa 335-315 BC. AR Tetradrachm (12.80 g, 4h). Damastion mint(?). Bare head of Apollo (or Patraos) right / Warrior on horse rearing right, spearing enemy warrior who defends with shield and spear. Paeonian Hoard 77; AMNG III/2, 2; SNG ANS 1047 (all from same obv. die). VF, lightly toned. Exceptional broad flan. Rare.

Ex Ponterio 93 (13 March 1998), lot 347.

The obverse head on this particular issue is quite unlike the standard appearance of Apollo on most of Patraos’ issues, leading to speculation that it is actually a portrait of the king. There is also a parallel within the coinage of Patraos' predecessor, Lykkeios, were a few known tetrobols have a portrait generally regarded to be that of the king rather than Apollo (see AMNG III/2, p. 201, 13).