KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander I. 498-454 BC. AR Tristater – “Oktadrachm” (30.5mm, 28.84 g, 10h). Light Aeginetic standard. Aigai mint. Struck circa 476/5-460 BC. VF.

Triton XXVI
Lot: 108. Estimated: $ 10 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 11 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander I. 498-454 BC. AR Tristater – “Oktadrachm” (30.5mm, 28.84 g, 10h). Light Aeginetic standard. Aigai mint. Struck circa 476/5-460 BC. Horseman, petasos hanging from neck, holding two spears over his shoulder in right hand, standing right, behind horse standing right, with horizontal kerykeion on its hind quarter; crescent to upper left / AΛE-ΞA-NΔ-PO in shallow incuse square around quadripartite square in relief. Raymond Group II, 55–6 var. (unlisted dies); AMNG III/2, 31 var. (no crescent); HGC 3, 755; SNG Alpha Bank –; SNG ANS 23 = Asyut 152 (same obv. die); SNG München –; Prospero 292; Traité I 1501. Lightly toned, minor scratches, some roughness at periphery and a couple spots of die rust on obverse. VF. Very rare, particularly as a whole coin without test cuts.

By the end of the sixth century BC, the Kingdom of Macedon became an influential regional power, strategically located between the Persian Empire and the city-states of Greece. The wars with Persia further extended Macedon’s importance, especially that of its young prince, Alexander I, the son of Amyntas. An astute politician, Alexander deftly maneuvered through this precarious situation. Although he early on offered his sister’s hand in marriage to a Persian to offset punishment for his revenge against the high handedness of a Persian embassy in 514-513 BC, Alexander maintained an aloof but cordial relationship with the Persians as they moved through the region in 492 BC, forcing the other tribes to Medize. At the same time, he worked towards a stronger association with the Greeks. Herodotos (9.44) says that on the eve of the battle at Plataia, Alexander entered the Athenian camp to report that a delay in engaging the Persians would help to further diminish their already low supplies. In return, he hoped the Greeks (in particular the Athenians) would assist him when the time came, thereby forging a relationship between the rising power in the north with the rising Greek city-states of Athens, Sparta and their allies.

The final winners of all Triton XXVI lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 10-11 January 2023.

Triton XXVI – Session One – Lots 1-334 will be held Tuesday morning, 10 January 2023 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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