Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 117 15-16 Sep 2020
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Macedonia, Akanthos. Silver Tetradrachm (17.19 g), ca. 470-430 BC. Lion right attacking bull standing left; in exergue, fish left. Reverse: AK-ANΘ-IO-N within square border surrounding quadripartite incuse square. Desneux 97 (D94/R87); AMNG III/2, 21; HGC 3, 385. Fantastic style and beautiful deep grey find toning. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - UP
This tetradrachm was struck at Akanthos in the decades between the repulse of the Persian invasion of Greece (480-479 BC) and the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), a period in which the Athenians were very active in establishing influence over the cities of coastal Macedonian and Thrace through membership in the Delian League. Akanthos had become a member of the League by 450 BC, but the city seems to have tired of Athenian domination in the early years of the Peloponnesian War. In 424 BC, the Akanthians secretly voted to secede from the Delean League and supported the Spartan general Brasidas and the Chalkidian League against Athenian interests in Macedonia. The use of the Attic weight standard (ca. 17.2 g) for this coin reflects Athenian influence at the time of its production. After 424 BC, Akanthian coins normally employ a lighter Chalkidian standard (ca. 14.4 g). While not so common on Greek coins, the obverse motif of a lion attacking a bull enjoyed great popularity throughout the ancient Near East and may have been adopted by Akanthos through its exposure to Persian culture. The Akanthians are known to have been on friendly terms with the Persians by 480 BC, when they welcomed Xerxes I and his army. The reverse quadripartite incuse design surrounded by a legend was widely used on contemporary coins struck in Macedonia and Thrace. It occurs on issues of the Macedonian king Alexander I as well as on coins of the Bisaltai and Edones and cities like Abdera and Mende.
Ex Tareq Hani Collection.
This tetradrachm was struck at Akanthos in the decades between the repulse of the Persian invasion of Greece (480-479 BC) and the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), a period in which the Athenians were very active in establishing influence over the cities of coastal Macedonian and Thrace through membership in the Delian League. Akanthos had become a member of the League by 450 BC, but the city seems to have tired of Athenian domination in the early years of the Peloponnesian War. In 424 BC, the Akanthians secretly voted to secede from the Delean League and supported the Spartan general Brasidas and the Chalkidian League against Athenian interests in Macedonia. The use of the Attic weight standard (ca. 17.2 g) for this coin reflects Athenian influence at the time of its production. After 424 BC, Akanthian coins normally employ a lighter Chalkidian standard (ca. 14.4 g). While not so common on Greek coins, the obverse motif of a lion attacking a bull enjoyed great popularity throughout the ancient Near East and may have been adopted by Akanthos through its exposure to Persian culture. The Akanthians are known to have been on friendly terms with the Persians by 480 BC, when they welcomed Xerxes I and his army. The reverse quadripartite incuse design surrounded by a legend was widely used on contemporary coins struck in Macedonia and Thrace. It occurs on issues of the Macedonian king Alexander I as well as on coins of the Bisaltai and Edones and cities like Abdera and Mende.
Ex Tareq Hani Collection.