Triton XXI, Lot: 385. Estimate $7500. Sold for $7000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MACEDON, Aineia. Circa 350-330 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 14.30 g, 10h). Head of nymph right, wearing wreath of reeds and single-pendant earring / Bull standing right, head reverted, on plain ground line; AINE-HTΩ-N around. AMNG III/2, –; HGC 3, 374 (this coin illustrated); CNG 78, lot 250 = Lanz 132, lot 105; CNG 67, lot 401 = Triton VII, lot 125; Nomos 10, lot 21 = Nomos 7, lot 37 = Triton VIII, lot 104; Gorny & Mosch 244, lot 136 = Gorny & Mosch 240, lot 81 = Giessener Münzhandlung 102, lot 133 (all from the same dies). EF, lightly toned, slightly granular surfaces. Extremely rare, one of five known, all from the same die pair.

From the Belgica Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 76 (12 September 2007), lot 250; Triton X (9 January 2007), lot 129.

Aineia (mod. Nea Michaniona) was located on the north-east coast of the Chalkidike. It was a comparatively obscure place in ancient times, occupied from the Archaic through the Hellenistic periods. Some fine burial mounds from the city have produced gold treasures, and the city is attested in Athenian fiscal documents. According to legend it was founded by Trojans, who named it after the famous Trojan hero, Aineias (Aeneas).

The occasion for the issue of this impressive silver tetradrachm is not known, though by its style and fabric it can be dated to the middle of the fourth century BC. Its designs were clearly inspired by existing Greek coin types, though it does distinguish itself with some local flare. The head of the nymph on the obverse, wreathed in grain, may be based upon the prolific issues of staters of Opuntian Lokris, which often circulated in northern Greece. However, the artist may have also been influenced by the same prototype that inspired engravers throughout the Greek world in the 4th century, the head of Arethousa on the famed Syracusan dekadrachms of Euainetos. The reverse is perhaps inspired by the standard issues of Ainos, which also featured a lone standing animal, albeit a goat.