Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 257. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $850. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.95 g, 12h). Ainos mint. Struck circa 283/2 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; grain ear to outer left, herm enthroned to inner left. Thompson -; Meydancikkale 2691 var. (no grain ear); Müller -. Good VF, reverse die shift.

During the closing years of his reign, much of Lysimachos’ coinage was produced in the Macedonian part of his kingdom. However, the buildup to his eventual confrontation with Seleukos I in 281 BC may have necessitated a revival of output from many mints that had been largely inactive by this time. These events would account for late issues from such mints as Perinthos and Ainos.