KINGS of MACEDON. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Tetradrachm (32.5mm, 16.51 g, 7h). Attic standard. Amphipolis mint; obverse die signed by Zoilos. Struck circa 174-170 BC. Near EF.

Triton XXVI
Lot: 133. Estimated: $ 25 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 32 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of MACEDON. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Tetradrachm (32.5mm, 16.51 g, 7h). Attic standard. Amphipolis mint; obverse die signed by Zoilos. Struck circa 174-170 BC. Diademed head right; ZΩIΛOΥ below neck / BAΣI-ΛEΩΣ ΠEP-ΣEΩΣ, eagle, wings spread, standing right on thunderbolt; two monograms to right; all within oak wreath; star below. De Luca, Tetradrachms, Group I, 2a (O2/R2) = Harlan J. Berk, 100 Greatest Ancient Coins (Atlanta, 2008), 67 (this coin); Mamroth, Perseus 1 (same obv. die as illustration); AMNG III 1; HGC 3, 1091; SNG Berry 383 (same obv. die); SNG München 1196 (same obv. die); Athena Fund II 452 (same obv. die); Consul Weber 1275 = de Sartiges 212 = Kunstfreund 238 = Gillet 811 (same obv. die); de Luynes 1712 (same dies); GPCG pl. 42, 7 = EHC 588 = Boehringer, Chronologie, pl. 7, 5 (same dies). Toned. Near EF. Struck in high relief from dies of fine style.

Ex M.J.W. Collection (Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020), lot 229; Berk BBS 178 (15 March 2011), lot 58.

Among the first portrait tetradrachms of the Macedonian King Perseus are a few bearing the legend ZΩIΛOΥ (”of Zoilos”) below the neck. The extraordinary quality and relief of the portraits marked with this name have led to speculation that Zoilos was a master die engraver or mint official responsible for production of this type. Clearly, this Zoilos was a figure of some importance, perhaps a “chief finance minister” as some have speculated, since the name is written out in full in nominative form, rather than abbreviated in the form of a monogram, as would be typical for an engraver or magistrate. A monogram with the initials ZΩ occurs on coins of Perseus’ father, Philip V, and it is plausible this same magistrate may be the Zoilos named in full here. If so, he may have overreached, as the full name disappears after one brief issue, replaced by a monogram on the reverse for a time before disappearing entirely as the artistic quality and weight of Perseus’ coinage declines.

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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