IONIA, Smyrna. Circa 150-143 BC. AR Tetradrachm (34mm, 16.21 g, 11h). Stephanophoric type. Arist-, magistrate. Near EF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 425. Estimated: $ 2 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 4 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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IONIA, Smyrna. Circa 150-143 BC. AR Tetradrachm (34mm, 16.21 g, 11h). Stephanophoric type. Arist-, magistrate. Turreted head of Tyche right / Ethnic and magistrate’s monogram within laurel wreath. Milne, Silver 1a, obv. die A; Milne, Autonomous 123a; SNG Copenhagen –; BMC 3. Some luster, minor peripheral porosity, a few short scrapes. Near EF.

From the Thomas Palmer Collection, purchased from Freeman & Sear, June 2002. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 60 (22 May 2002), lot 749.

Smyrna was well known as a center of Hellenic culture in western Asia Minor from the time of its founding in 1,000 BC. The supposed birthplace of Homer, it rose to prominence in the seventh century BC and was brought to its full splendor during the Hellenistic era, circa 316-197 BC, where it became famous for the skill of its artisans. Among them die engravers of exceptional ability who produced stunning coins for Lysimachos of Thrace and the early Seleukid kings. During the second-century BC, Smyrna owed nominal allegiance to the Attalid rulers of Pergamum, but circa 150 BC began producing stephanophoric (”wreath-bearing”) tetradrachms along with many other cities of western Asia Minor, who had been recently freed from Seleukid rule. Stephanophoric issues of Smyrna are among the simplest designs in the series, with an obverse bearing a rather stern-looking head of Tyche, goddess of providence, wearing a turreted crown representing the city’s walls. The reverse simply has the city’s name and a series of identifying monograms enclosed within a laurel wreath. Smyrna would go on to be one of the most prolific Roman provincial mints and would remain Greek in character throughout the middle ages and into the modern era.

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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