Islands off Thessaly
Ikos

Triton XV, Lot: 794. Estimate $150. Sold for $1300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Ikos (IACP 482)

Ikos is an island, with a town of the same name, that lies off the coast of Magnesia. There are a few minor remains, and a few inscriptions. It was a member of the Delian League. There are locally produced amphoras, with stamps, that testify to a flourishing wine trade. It became a Macedonian possession in the 338 BC. In 42 BC, Ikos came under the control of Athens.

Ikos produced some very rare bronze coins in the mid 4th century BC.

ISLANDS off THESSALY, Ikos. 4th century BC. Æ Chalkous (16mm, 2.86 g, 7h). Bearded and wreathed head of Poseidon r. / I-K-IΩ-N from middle r., downwards and l. up circular, trident head upwards, between two opposed dolphins swimming downwards; all in incuse circle. Rogers 558, fig. 315 var. [same obv. die but N reversed]; see also Nomos 4, 1362 var. [different dies; N also reversed]. Near VF, dark green patina; obv. with minor surface pitting and a little off centre; an island coin of the highest rarity.

For working out the die positions the trident is taken as pointing upwards, to 12 o’clock.