Agora Auctions, LLC
Numismatic Auction 49 2 February 2016
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Carpathian region, Imitating Thasos. ca. 148-90/80 B.C. AR tetradrachm (37.8 mm, 17.64 g, 1 h). Wreathed head of young Dionysos right / HPAKΛEOYΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ ΘAΣIΩN, Herakles standing left, holding club and lion's skin; monogram to left. Kostial 971-979; Göbl, OTA Class II. Toned VF, broad flan.
This is a very early imitiation: legible and of good style, but still distinctly 'odd' in appearance. The tied up hair at the side of Dionysos' head has become almost horn-like, and his neck has become elongated. Thracian imitations were produced in enormous numbers to profit from the abundant silver from the lower Balkans, but coins of this quality are relatively scarce.
This is a very early imitiation: legible and of good style, but still distinctly 'odd' in appearance. The tied up hair at the side of Dionysos' head has become almost horn-like, and his neck has become elongated. Thracian imitations were produced in enormous numbers to profit from the abundant silver from the lower Balkans, but coins of this quality are relatively scarce.