Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 102 18 May 2016
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KINGS of MACEDON. temp. Antigonos I Monophthalmos – Lysimachos. Circa 310-290 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28.5mm, 16.84 g, 5h). In the name and types of Alexander III. Uncertain mint in western Asia Minor. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; astragalos in left field. CNG 91, lot 144 = CNG 84, lot 300 = CNG 42, lot 254; otherwise unpublished. Near EF. Extremely rare, one of two known.
The astragalos is only known for issues of Babylon and an uncertain mint (Price 4032). However, the style of the two known coins of this issue certainly discounts a relationship to either of those. In the prior sale of this coin, it was speculated that this is an issue of Selge in Pisidia, which commonly featured astragaloi on its coinage. However, Selge is not known to have issued any Alexander coinage, and for such an early issue as this coin, one cannot assume any symbol is a civic badge. In contrast, the style and fabric suggest this issue is from a mint in western Asia Minor; it is most similar to the obverse dies used on early posthumous Alexander tetradrachms from Miletos.
The astragalos is only known for issues of Babylon and an uncertain mint (Price 4032). However, the style of the two known coins of this issue certainly discounts a relationship to either of those. In the prior sale of this coin, it was speculated that this is an issue of Selge in Pisidia, which commonly featured astragaloi on its coinage. However, Selge is not known to have issued any Alexander coinage, and for such an early issue as this coin, one cannot assume any symbol is a civic badge. In contrast, the style and fabric suggest this issue is from a mint in western Asia Minor; it is most similar to the obverse dies used on early posthumous Alexander tetradrachms from Miletos.