Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 222. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $2000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MACEDON, under Roman Rule. Aesillas. Circa 70 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.76 gm). CÆ. PR. MAKEDONWN, diademed head of Alexander right / Money chest, club and chair; all within wreath. Bauslaugh Group VII (O85/R300); Fisher Issue I (O1/R-); AMNG III 213. EF, well struck, broad flan, exceptional. Rare issue. ($2000)

This specimen is from the rare first issue of the quaestor Aesillas, whose subsequent coinage is quite common. The praetor CÆ has been identified as L. Julius Caesar, the praetor (governor) of Macedon in the late 90s BC, since a similar individual of the same name was praetor of Macedon in 67 BC. While securely dating this series is problematic, the evidence of Athenian overstrikes supports the traditional dating of circa 94-88 BC. Nevertheless, arguments have also been made for dates from the mid-80s through the early 60s BC. Either way, this is the inaugural issue.