Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIII 14-15 Jan 2020
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MACEDON, Potidaia. Circa 525-500 BC. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 16.59 g). Poseidon Hippios, nude, holding trident in right hand and reins in left, on horseback right; star below / Large quadripartite incuse square, diagonally divided. Alexander Group I.B, a.2 = ACGC 471 = Weber 1952 (this coin); AMNG III/2, 3; SNG ANS 688. Toned, some roughness. VF. Very rare.
From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Shirley Hanbery Collection (Goldberg 96, 14 February 2017), lot 1573, purchased from Frank Kovacs in 1993; Sir Hermann Weber Collection; Naville IV (17 June 1922), lot 444.
Potidaia was a Corinthian colony founded in the late 7th century BC. During the Greco-Persian Wars, the city was initially controlled by the Achaemenids, but soon entered into an alliance with other towns in the region against the Persians. As a result, in 479 BC, the city was besieged by the Persians, but was saved by the fortuitous occurrence of a tsunami that devastated the Achaemenid forces. This was the first tsunami recorded in history (cf. Hdt. 8.129). Thereafter, the city became a member of the Delian League, but later revolted against Athens in 432 BC, along with the Chalkidians and Bottiaians. The Athenians beseiged the city for nearly two years, until 430 BC, when it capitulated and many of its inhabitants fled. In the 380s BC, Potidaia joined the Chalkidian League, but was captured by the Athenian Timotheos in 364/3 BC, and a contingent of Athenians were settled in the city. The fortunes of Potidaia continued to decline with the rise of Philip II, who, in 356 BC, forced the city to surrender to the Olynthos and its Athenian population sold into slavery. Although Philip did not destroy the city, its power was so greatly reduced that it ceased to be an independent player in the politics of the region. Potidaia struck a small, yet persistent silver coinage in multiple denominations throughout the 5th century BC, and a bronze coinage in the early to mid 4th century BC.
From the Jonathan P. Rosen Collection. Ex Shirley Hanbery Collection (Goldberg 96, 14 February 2017), lot 1573, purchased from Frank Kovacs in 1993; Sir Hermann Weber Collection; Naville IV (17 June 1922), lot 444.
Potidaia was a Corinthian colony founded in the late 7th century BC. During the Greco-Persian Wars, the city was initially controlled by the Achaemenids, but soon entered into an alliance with other towns in the region against the Persians. As a result, in 479 BC, the city was besieged by the Persians, but was saved by the fortuitous occurrence of a tsunami that devastated the Achaemenid forces. This was the first tsunami recorded in history (cf. Hdt. 8.129). Thereafter, the city became a member of the Delian League, but later revolted against Athens in 432 BC, along with the Chalkidians and Bottiaians. The Athenians beseiged the city for nearly two years, until 430 BC, when it capitulated and many of its inhabitants fled. In the 380s BC, Potidaia joined the Chalkidian League, but was captured by the Athenian Timotheos in 364/3 BC, and a contingent of Athenians were settled in the city. The fortunes of Potidaia continued to decline with the rise of Philip II, who, in 356 BC, forced the city to surrender to the Olynthos and its Athenian population sold into slavery. Although Philip did not destroy the city, its power was so greatly reduced that it ceased to be an independent player in the politics of the region. Potidaia struck a small, yet persistent silver coinage in multiple denominations throughout the 5th century BC, and a bronze coinage in the early to mid 4th century BC.