Sale: Nomos 7, Lot: 147. Estimate CHF1000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2013.  Sold For CHF1700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Marathos. Circa 220s BC. Drachm (Silver, 4.03 g 12), struck in the name of Alexander III. Head of Athena wearing Corinthian helmet to right. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left with wreath and stylus; to left, monogram of ΜΑΡΑΘ. BMC pl. XLII, A = De Luynes 3164 = Rouvier 781 (same dies). Houghton 940 (but attributed to Alexander Balas in error; same dies). Very rare. Some areas flatly struck on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the Mieza collection, ex Triton IX, 10 January 2006, 800.

This rather extraordinary coin was struck by the Phoenician city of Marathos (the monogram identifies the city) in the 220s BC, but in name of Alexander and with the types of his gold staters. The reasons behind this exceptional issue are unknown but it must have been very short-lived since it is extremely rare today.