THRACO-MACEDONIAN TRIBES, Bisaltai. Circa 475-465 BC. AR Tristater – “Oktadrachm” (30.5mm, 28.75 g). Reduced Aeginetan standard.

Triton XXIV
Lot: 430. Estimated: $ 10 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 11 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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THRACO-MACEDONIAN TRIBES, Bisaltai. Circa 475-465 BC. AR Tristater – “Oktadrachm” (30.5mm, 28.75 g). Reduced Aeginetan standard. Horse walking right, bridle held by nude warrior in background, walking right, wearing petasos and holding two spears; C-[I-Σ-A-Γ-T]-I-K-ΩN clockwise around from top / Quadripartite incuse square. Peykov A3030; Topalov 33; HPM pl. XI, 5 var. (distribution of ethnic); AMNG III/2, 4 var. (same); HGC 3, 274; CNG 111, lot 95 (same dies). Toned, minor double strike with worn die on obverse, edge bump. Good VF. Rare.

From the Collection of a Northern California Gentleman, purchased from Frank Kovacs, January 1997.

The Bisaltai were a tribe of Pelasgian or Thracian origin and occupied the territory between the rivers Echedoros and Strymon, including the metalliferous mountains, which separate the territory of the Bisaltai from the territory of the Krestonioi and Mygonia on the west (Herodotos 7, 115). At the time of the invasion of Xerxes in 480 BC, the Bisaltai were governed by a Thracian ruler who was independent of Macedonian influence, and refused to assist the Great King of Persia when his army crossed Thrace to invade mainland Greece. At some point after the Persian retreat, Alexander I of Macedon, who was in the service of Persians as early as 492 BC, annexed the territory as far as the Strymon valley. Capturing its rich silver mines, he issued the first regal Macedonian coinage, which is indistinguishable from the Bisaltian but for the placing of his own name. The absence of Bisaltai oktadrachms in the Asyut hoard led Price and Waggoner to suggest a mintage date of circa 475-465 BC. This coinage was terminated about the same time as the disaster at Drabeskos in 465/4 BC, in which the Athenian colonists of Ennea Hodoi (later Amphipolis) were exterminated by the native Thracians, though it is unknown whether this coinage is directly related to the Bisaltai’s involvement in this conflict.

The final winners of all Triton XXIV lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 January 2021. This lot is in Session Two, which begins 19 January 2021 at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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