Triton XVI, Lot: 266. Estimate $5000. Sold for $7000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of THRACE. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 17.28 g, 6h). Uncertain mint in Thrace. Struck under Skostokos, circa 285-281 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; herm to iner left, ΣKOΣTOKOY in exergue. Fischer-Bossert, Lysimacheier 4a (V1/R4 - this coin); Dimitrov, Coinage, group B, obv. die 9; Peter p. 218; Draganov p. 25, 3; Youroukova 103; SNG Copenhagen 1171; SNG Ashmolean 3779. EF, toned, minor die breaks on obverse. Struck from very high relief dies.

From the RCM Collection. Ex Triton XII (6 January 2009), lot 144; Triton VII (13 January 2004), lot 180.

While previous scholars viewed Skostokos as a dynast who took control of parts of Thrace following Lysimachos’ death, Fischer-Bossert’s die study demonstrates that Skostokos was most likely a local ruler, under Lysimachos, who was permitted to strike these coins near the end of the Thracian king’s reign. This particular coin was struck from the first reverse die to add Skostokos’ name.