CNG 93, Lot: 99. Estimate $1500. Sold for $4250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THRACE, Byzantion. Circa 100-90 BC. AV Stater (21mm, 8.21 g, 12h). In the name and types of Lysimachos. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; Φ to inner left, BY below throne, ornate trident in exergue. Müller 169; Callataÿ p. 149, n. 40 and pl. 38, J = BM Acq. 1848,0819.2. EF. Well centered. Extremely rare issue, only the BM example published.

This issue belongs to a group of late staters that all share similar qualities, such as Nike crowning Athena rather than the royal name, and have a somewhat “coarse” style (cf. Callataÿ pl. 38, J-M). Although Callataÿ agrees with Seyrig’s dating of circa 150 for this group, Marinescu sees them as related to the Mithradatic period, and places them contemporary to Callataÿ’s period 2B (which is also why these are not included in his dissertation, which ends with the Mithradatic period). This lower dating is based on recently published examples that have an obverse portrait style that has the features of Mithradates VI (cf. Gorny & Mosch 142, lot 1078, and Gorny & Mosch 126, lot 1194). Similar adaptations of the king’s likeness is commonly found on coin issues from many cities under Mithradatic influence during this period.