Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 246. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.65 g, 11h). Pergamon mint. Struck circa 287-282 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, pentagram above M. Thompson 216 (same obv. die as illustration); Arnold-Biucchi, Pergamene 8-9 var. (O2/R- [unlisted rev. die]). Good VF. Fine style portrait.

By 287 BC, Lysimachos’ rule over some of his cities in Asia Minor was becoming contentious, resulting in a diminished output at many of the civic mints. As a result, Lysimachos established a new mint at the more secure fortress of Pergamon. This mint produced a sizable amount of coinage for Lysimachos before Philetairos, his general in Pergamon, revolted circa 282 BC. Philetairos allied himself with the Seleukids, and called upon their king, Seleukos I, for assistance. Seleukos subsequently brought his army into Asia Minor and defeated Lysimachos at Korupedion in 281 BC.