Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
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Moesia, Istros AV Stater. Circa 250-225 BC. In the names and type of Alexander III of Macedon. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with coiled serpent / Nike standing left, holding wreath and stylis; AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, monogram within wreath to left. Price 969; Hill, Greek Coins 1927, 8.18, pl. i.18. 8.46g, 18mm, 12h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; one of very few known specimens, none in CoinArchives.
Price (cf. pp. 176-180) suggests that these late 'Alexanders' are likely to represent "protection money paid to the Gauls, similar to that paid by Byzantium."
Polybius (4.46.3) relates the context of this tribute: "These Gauls had left their country with Brennus, and having survived the battle at Delphi and made their way to the Hellespont, instead of crossing to Asia, were captivated by the beauty of the district round Byzantium, and settled there. Then, having conquered the Thracians and erected Tyle into a capital, they placed the Byzantines in extreme danger. In their earlier attacks, made under the command of Comontorius their first king, the Byzantines always bought them off by presents amounting to three, or five, or sometimes even ten thousand gold pieces, on condition of their not devastating their territory: and at last were compelled to agree to pay them a yearly tribute of eighty talents."
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; one of very few known specimens, none in CoinArchives.
Price (cf. pp. 176-180) suggests that these late 'Alexanders' are likely to represent "protection money paid to the Gauls, similar to that paid by Byzantium."
Polybius (4.46.3) relates the context of this tribute: "These Gauls had left their country with Brennus, and having survived the battle at Delphi and made their way to the Hellespont, instead of crossing to Asia, were captivated by the beauty of the district round Byzantium, and settled there. Then, having conquered the Thracians and erected Tyle into a capital, they placed the Byzantines in extreme danger. In their earlier attacks, made under the command of Comontorius their first king, the Byzantines always bought them off by presents amounting to three, or five, or sometimes even ten thousand gold pieces, on condition of their not devastating their territory: and at last were compelled to agree to pay them a yearly tribute of eighty talents."