Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 205. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $1650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.92 g, 6h). Lysimacheia mint. Struck circa 297-281 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; herm to outer left; to inner left, lion head left above monogram; monogram in exergue. Thompson -; Müller -; Seyrig, Trésors p. 15, 50 corr.; Triton XII, 140; CNG 67, lot 504 (all from the same dies). Good VF, attractively toned.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group 63 (21 May 2003), lot 271.

Although this variety does not appear in Thompson, the fine style and similarity to published specimens of Lysimacheia certainly place this coin among the lifetime issues there. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Lysimachos’ coinage continued to be struck at this city after his death, during the subsequent Seleukid and Macedonian administrations. The CNG examples have permitted a correct reading of the monogram in the exergue on this issue.

Though apparently not serving as a major mint, Lysimacheia was founded by Lysimachos as his new capital in 309 BC, and was among the first to issue his coinage. In general, output was fairly consistent throughout Lysimachos’ reign, the only major interruption being caused by an earthquake which severely damaged the city in 287 BC.