Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 209. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $1100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.20 g, 9h). Lampsakos 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; torch to inner left, monogram on throne. Thompson 41 (same dies as illustration); SNG France -. Good VF.

Lysimachos’ largest mint in Asia Minor, Lampsakos produced an extensive run of coinage, especially between 293 and 287 BC. Upon the conquest of Amphipolis, however, the output of Lampsakos steadily declined as the former became the primary mint of Lysimachos’ later reign.

This and the following two lots were struck from the same obverse die. This die was apparently used for a long period, and was re-engraved twice. First, after striking the present coin, the neck was slightly enlarged and lengthened. Then, before striking the third coin, the diadem behind the neck was made shorter, and the pellet border was also re-engraved behind the head.