Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 231. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $815. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.12 g, 12h). Ephesos mint. Struck circa 294-287 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; to inner left, bee left; monogram on throne. Thompson 167 var. (monogram); Meydancikkale 2660. Good VF, minor die break on reverse.

In 295 BC, Ephesos was captured by Lysimachos, who renamed the city Arsinoeia, in honor of his wife. He also enlarged Ephesos’ population in 294 BC, primarily with the inhabitants of Kolophon and Lebedos, many of whose citizens were displaced following their rebellions against Lysmachos. Ephsos was a major mint for Lysimachos in Asia Minor from 295-287 BC, and primarily produced drachms.