Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 39. Estimate CHF22500.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF24500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 490 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 17.20 g). Lion to left, attacking bull kneeling to right, head lifted; in exergue, flower Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. BMFA 516. Desneux 2 c (this coin). SNG ANS 1. Lightly toned and beautifully struck in high relief. Good extremely fine.

Ex Münzhandlung Basel 8, 23 March 1937, 213.

This is one of the very earliest of all the tetradrachms of Akanthos and it shows a remarkable archaic vigor in its design. The scene of the lion attacking a bull is an age-old Eastern symbol of power, brought to this region by through Persian influence. All the 5th century issues of Akanthos are very attractive, but the earliest ones, in higher relief than those that followed, are by far the most impressive. This piece is one of the finest imaginable examples.