Sale: Nomos 9, Lot: 90. Estimate CHF6000.  Closing Date: Monday, 20 October 2014.  Sold For CHF11000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Stater (Gold, 17mm, 8.59 g 12), Memphis, c. 323. Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet adorned with serpent. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left, holding wreath and stylus; to left, vertical thunderbolt; below wing, ΔΙ. Price 3975. A superb piece, perfectly struck and exceptional. One of the finest gold staters of Alexander in existence. Virtually as struck.

From the Canonicus collection.

This coin, probably struck just before or just after the news came of Alexander’s death, is in such good condition that one wonders whether it was hidden out of fear of unrest. It is a splendid coin and reminds us of Ptolemy’s great coup in getting the body of Alexander for the mausoleum in Alexandria.