Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 222. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.96 g, 11h). Magnesia 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; monogram within wreath to outer left, Σ to inner left, ornament on throne. Thompson 102. Good VF. Nice surfaces.

Among the mints in Asia Minor which Lysimachos acquired through his military conquests in 302/1 BC, Magnesia was a fairly prolific issuer of coinage. In 287 BC, however, the city, along with its neighbor, Sardes, was captured by Demetrios I Poliorketes, only to be retaken by Lysimachos the following year. While Sardes was apparently closed throughout the remainder of Lysimachos’ reign, the mint at Magnesia was allowed to continue striking.