Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 137. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $3200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MACEDON, Mende. Circa 460-423 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.01 gm). Inebriated Dionysos reclining on back of an ass, holding kantharos; crow standing on branches to right / MEN-DA-I-ON, vine of four grape clusters within shallow linear incuse square. Noe, Mende 62 (same dies); SNG Lockett 1345 (same reverse die); SNG ANS 337 (same obverse die). Good VF/VF, well centered on a nice flan with lots of eye appeal. ($4000)

The city of Mende on the peninsula of Pallene on the eastern shore of the Thermaic Gulf was, according to Thucydides (4.123.1), founded by Eretria in the 8th century. It later founded colonies of its own: Neapolis on the eastern coast of Pallene, and Eion at the mouth of the river Strymon near Amphipols. Mende's wealth is indicated by the high amounts of tribute paid to the Delian Confederacy: 8 talents until 451-450, and then amounts ranging form 5 to 9 talents after 438-437. During the Peloponnesian War (431-404) Mende originally sided with Athens, but then, on the urging of the oligarchs, went over to the Spartan general Brasidas. It eventually returned to the Athenian side, but is not mentioned in connection with the Peace of Nicias. From 415-414 Mende again appears in the Athenian Tribute Lists, but by the fourth century the city was only minting copper coins.The Dionysiac types of Mende proclaim it as a famous wine producing city, as attested by its amphoras that have been found throughout the Mediterranean. On this delightful coin Dionysos, who rules wine and winemaking, is shown being carried home drunken from a symposium, a type of careless joy which links the world of men with the Olympians--at least until the morning.