KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander I. 498-454 BC. AR Oktadrachm (28.5mm, 27.30 g). Aigai mint. Struck circa 492-480/79 BC.

Triton XXIII – Session One – Greek Coinage Part I
Lot: 194. Estimated: $ 15 000

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 10 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander I. 498-454 BC. AR Oktadrachm (28.5mm, 27.30 g). Aigai mint. Struck circa 492-480/79 BC. Horseman, wearing chlamys and petasos, and holding two spears, standing right behind horse, with kerykeion on its rump, advancing right / Quadripartite incuse square. Raymond pl. II, 5–6; AMNG III p. 49, 7 (Bisaltai); HPM pl. XII, 1 (Bisaltai); SNG ANS 1 var. (no kerykeion); Boston MFA 617 (Bisaltai); Gillet 739 var. (no kerykeion); Pozzi 696 = Rhousopoulos 1006 (Bisaltai); Weber 1847 (Bisaltai); Kastner 4, lot 29 (same obv. die). Lightly toned, minor double strike. EF.

From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Lanz 159 (8 December 2014), lot 82.

This coin type had long been ascribed to the Bisaltai, one of the powerful Thraco-Macedonian tribes that struck coinage in the late 6th and early 5th centuries. The weight of the evidence now points to it being the earliest issue of Alexander I, when he was allied with the tribes against the Persians; he presumably struck coins with types that were acceptable to his allies and would, in fact, symbolize their alliance.

The final winners of all Triton XXIII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 14-15 January 2020. Triton XXIII – Session One – Greek Coinage Part I will be held Tuesday morning, 14 January 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and in person at the public auction, 22.50% for all others.