CNG 96, Lot: 22. Estimate $2000. Sold for $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

WESTERN BLACK SEA REGION, Uncertain. Late 2nd – early 1st centuries BC. AV Stater (20mm, 8.50 g, 12h). In the name and types of Lysimachos of Thrace. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; uncertain monogram to inner left, ornate trident in exergue. Unpublished in the standard references. EF, scrape, a few light marks, die shift, and light roughness on reverse.

This type is very similar to issues struck in large quantities in the name and types of Lysimachos at Byzantion, Kallatis, Istros, and Tomis during the time of Mithradates VI of Pontos. All of those issues, though, bear the first initials of their mint below the throne on the reverse, a feature that is not present on this coin. Certain elements of the style, particularly the hair and high placement of the ear, on this coin suggests a possible Celtic origin. The civic Lysimachi circulated widely in the western Black Sea region, making them good candidates for imitative issues struck by the Celtic tribes, and early issues feature very high quality style more consistent with dies of official issues (cf. Dessewffy 390 and L. Forrer, Keltische Numismatik der Rhein- und Donaulande [Strassburg, 1908], no. 375).