IONIA, Lebedos. Circa 140-135 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.42 g, 12h). Stephanophoric type. Athenaios, magistrate. EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 412. Estimated: $ 2 000

Greek, 12h, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 7 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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IONIA, Lebedos. Circa 140-135 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 16.42 g, 12h). Stephanophoric type. Athenaios, magistrate. Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing, on club between two filleted cornucopias; all within wreath. Amandry, Tétradrachmes, Group II, – (D3/R– [unlisted rev. die]); Kinns 31; SNG Copenhagen –. Light golden toning with hints of luster, surface flan crack. EF.

From the Thomas Palmer Collection. Ex Tkalec (22 April 2007), lot 77 (hammer 5600 CHF).

Lebedos was located on the central coast of Ionia, to the north of Ephesos. Very little is known of the town, which was best known for its mineral springs. Pausanias noted that it was originally inhabited by Carians, but later, Ionian Greeks migrated there under Andræmon, son of Codrus. In contrast, Strabo says it was founded as a colony by Andropompus, and previously bore the name Artis. A member of the Ionian League, the city's commerce flourished in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, during which time it issued a civic coinage in silver and bronze. Particularly notable are these tetradrachms issued in the mid-2nd century. Struck on the Attic standard, their types were influenced by the 'New Style' Athenian issues, with a similar head of Athena on the obverse, and a reverse type of civic symbols enclosed within a wreath. As these tetradrachms were typically used in international trade, they were a source of civic pride, and this is reflected in the high quality of engraving found on these coins, which is among the finest of the middle Hellenistic period.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Two – Lot 319-587 will be held Monday afternoon, 18 May 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM 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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