KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. As Satrap, 323-305 BC. AR Tetrobol (14mm, 2.45 g, 7h). In the types of Philip II of Macedon. Amphipolis mint. Struck under Kassander, circa 320-315 BC. VF.

Electronic Auction 550
Lot: 54. Estimated: $ 100

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 325. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. As Satrap, 323-305 BC. AR Tetrobol (14mm, 2.45 g, 7h). In the types of Philip II of Macedon. Amphipolis mint. Struck under Kassander, circa 320-315 BC. Head of Apollo right, wearing tainia / Nude youth on horseback right; ΛY above; below, traces of ΛY (erased in die) above forepart of lion right. Thompson 3; Price 434; Müller pl. I, 1; HGC 3, 1745 corr. (some with grain ear or sword in exergue). Toned, traces of find patina and light earthen deposits, minor marks. VF. Rare.

Ex Sayles & Lavender inventory 11451 (ND; their ticket included).

This very rare transitional coin was struck with dies from an earlier issue with the name of Philip II above the horseman, and an ΛY (for Lysimachos) below the horse (cf. HGC 3, 1744). Apparently, at some point, Philip’s name was erased from the top of the die, and replaced with the ΛY of Lysimachos, which was also erased from its original position below the horse (traces are still visible).

Although these coins have traditionally been attributed to the beginning of Lysimachos' reign as king of Thrace, more recent scholarship has persuasively placed them early in the period of his satrapy. Price, in his study of the coinage of Alexander the Great and Philip III, discounts the prior dating (circa 306/5 BC) and mint attribution (Lysimacheia), and argues for an issue placed at Amphipolis, circa 320-315 BC. During this time, Lysimachos was constantly waging war against the Thracian tribes and likely needed coinage for troop payments. The only source for him, at that time, would be his close friend Kassander, who controlled the mint at Amphipolis. This placement and dating conform well to the current scholarship regarding the minting of Philip II-type tetrobols (or fifth tetradrachms). For further background, see, e.g.: Price, pp. 130 and 197; AMNG III, p. 171; and H. Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship (Routledge, 1992), p. 57.

Closing Date and Time: 15 November 2023 at 10:17:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.