312, Lot: 5. Estimate $2500. Sold for $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos I Monophthalmos. As Strategos of Asia, 320-306/5 BC, or King, 306/5-301 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.56 g, 12h). In the name and types of Alexander III. Magnesia ad Maeandrum mint. Struck circa 318-301 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet adorned with a serpent / AΛEΞANΔPO[Y], Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand; ΠA monogram in left field, AT monogram below right wing. Unpublished, but cf. Hersh, Additions 42 for a drachm with the same control marks (see also Price 1959). Superb EF, underlying luster, a little die rust on obverse, hairline die break on reverse.

From the Clearwater Collection.

This interesting piece appears to be an imitative issue because of a few stylistic anomalies. On the obverse, the two parts of the triple-crest that are normally visible have been melded into a single crest, the serpent is unusually forward rather than centered on the bowl, Athena’s ear has become strands of hair, and her eye has a pupil and cornea, which is an unusual detail. On the reverse, the shaft of the stylis has been omitted, while the upper portion has been transformed into an X-like device within the upper portion of the right wing. Nonetheless, the engraving of many issues at Magnesia during this period have anomalous style. The BM specimen used to illustrate Price 1947 is one such piece, and has elements that are similar to that found on the present coin. In sum, these irregularities of style are more indicative of the skill of the engravers, or lack thereof, rather than the authenticity of the issue.