Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 240. Estimate $150.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $175. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander I. 498-454 BC. AR Obol (0.89 g, 9h). Struck circa 476/5-460 BC. Forepart of horse right; L below / Helmet right in linear square within shallow incuse square. Raymond pl. XI, c corr. (same dies; A not three pellets); SNG ANS 36 corr. (same obv. die; same); SNG Alpha Bank 28. Near VF. Rare.

From the Robert A. Weimer Collection.

The Alpha Bank specimen, from different dies, clearly has an alpha on the obverse. Raymond and ANS both placed this issue in Group III, and note the addition of ‘three pellets’ below the horse. The ANS and present specimens, though, are of an earlier die state than the piece in Raymond, and the ‘three pellets’ appear to be deliberately connected (not noted by ANS). The result, while appearing as a lambda, is probably an attempt at making an alpha on the small die. A similar effect can be seen on certain tetrobols of Group II (’A series’, cf. Raymond 77-79), where this obol must belong.