The Last Derrones Dodekadrachm?

Sale: CNG 78, Lot: 301. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 May 2008.  Sold For $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THRACO-MACEDONIAN TRIBES, Derrones. Circa 480-465 BC. AR Dodekadrachm (30.34 g). Reduced standard. Driver, holding goad, driving ox cart left; above, [Δ]-E and crested Corinthian helmet left / Triskeles right [within incuse square]. Topalov -; cf. HPM pl. II, 7; SNG ANS -; cf. Mouchmov 6218 (similar style); CNG 75, 119 (same dies). Good VF, toned, minor flan crack. Rare, this issue unpublished in the standard references.

A small number of this unpublished type recently appeared on the market within a group of Derrones dodekadrachms. The simplified style and light weight (the usual dodekadrachm weight is about 40 grams) have led to the suggestion that this new type may be a contemporary imitative issue. However, several factors indicate that this coin is more likely a late official issue. An imitative issue would be highly unusual in this period, and visual inspection indicates that the silver quality is no less fine than the usual issues. Although the style is simplified compared with some other Derrones dodekadrachms, there is considerable variety within the whole series, and some published examples (see above) do display a similar style. Moreover, within the same group another unpublished variety appeared with a weight of 36.90 g (Gemini III, lot 84). Both new types appear to have minimal wear, perhaps less than other dodekadrachms in the group, so they may postdate the other pieces. The presence of the lighter weight pieces in the same group as the usual issues suggests that the lighter weight pieces were considered acceptable payment (although perhaps at a value commensurate with their weight) along with the others. All these factors indicate that these light weight types represent an official transition to a lower weight standard in the late Derrrones dodekadrachms, culminating with the present coin which may represent the final issue in this impressive series.