ATTICA, Athens. Circa 165-42 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28.5mm, 16.48 g, 12h). New Style coinage. Aristion and Philon, magistrates. Struck circa 97/6 BC. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 129
Lot: 163.
Closing Date: May 14 2025 11:00 ET

Greek, 12h, Silver

Estimate: $ 750

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ATTICA, Athens. Circa 165-42 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28.5mm, 16.48 g, 12h). New Style coinage. Aristion and Philon, magistrates. Struck circa 97/6 BC. Helmeted head of Athena Parthenos right / Owl standing right, head facing, on amphora; magistrates’ names in fields; to right, Pegasos grazing left; E on amphora, MH below; all within wreath. Thompson 966 (same obv. die); HGC 4, 1635. Deep iridescent tone, trace deposits, a little off center. Good VF.

From the Kalevala Collection. Ex Collection of a Mentor (Naville Numismatics 75, 31 July 2022), lot 106.

This issue of Aristion and Philon is of particular historical importance as it serves as numismatic evidence of the close ties between Mithradates VI of Pontos and Athens as early as 98 BC. By the beginning of the 1st century BC, Mithradates' skillful use of diplomacy, propaganda, and conquests made the Pontic king appear as a viable champion of Greek interests. Aristion, an influential Athenian politician, adhered to a faction that believed it was in Athens' interest to align itself with Mithradates against Rome. The present issue reflects this goal. Here Aristion and his co-magistrate Philon employ the Pontic Pegasos, the badge of Mithradates which appears on the king's royal issues and civic issues of his affiliated mints. In 87 BC, during the First Mithradatic War, with the support of Mithradates' general Archelaos, Aristion declared himself tyrant of Athens and struck coins bearing his name and 'King Mithradates' as the magistrates (Thompson 1143-1146), an issue believed to have been used for the king's military necessities. Sulla responded by besieging Athens, which suffered miserably for months. As starvation set in, the Romans stormed the walls, and the city quickly fell. Aristion and his supporters tried to hold out in the Acropolis, but were forced to surrender due to a lack of food. Soon afterward, Sulla ordered Aristion's execution. For more details on the linkage between the two issues of Aristion and their Mithradatic connections, see Callataÿ, pp. 301–5.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session One, which will begin 13 May at 9 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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