Unique Issue of Skostokos

Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 94. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.42 g, 2h). Uncertain mint in Thrace. Struck under Skostokos, circa 285-281 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; race torch (or blundered cult statue) to inner left, maeander pattern in exergue. Fischer-Bossert, Lysimacheier 13a (V4/R11 – this coin, illustrated); cf. Thompson 112 (for these control marks); Müller -; Armenak 844-7. Near EF, lightly toned, a couple minor die breaks. Unique.

Ex Berk BBS 140 (27 October 2004), no. 120; Lanz 117 (24 November 2003), lot 193.

This exceptional piece, with the reverse control marks normally found on an issue at Magnesia, is struck from an obverse die that was paired with three other reverse dies struck in the name and types of Skostokos. It is unknown why this reverse die was engraved with the controls of Magnesia, but the die links confirm its placement among the issues of Skostokos.