Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XX 29-30 Oct 2020
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Kings of Thrace, Lysimachos AV Stater. In the name and types of Alexander III. Uncertain mint in western Asia Minor or Thrace (Lysimacheia?), circa 323-280 BC. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with coiled serpent on bowl / Nike standing to left, holding wreath and stylis; to left, head of lion left; AΛEΞANΔΡOΥ to right. Cf. Price 2698 (different style); Müller 328. 8.48g, 18mm, 12h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only one in Pella, no others on CoinArchives.
Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 157, 9 December 2013, lot 109.
This extremely rare issue has not been formally attributed to any particular issuing authority. It seems reasonable however, given the preponderance of lion-head adjuncts on the issues of Lysimachos struck at Lysimacheia, Kolophon and other mints that the present issue represents an early gold stater issued in the name and types of Alexander under the authority of Lysimachos, perhaps while strategos of Thrace, before he assumed the royal title in 306/5 BC.
The recurring usage of the lion symbol on his coinage may perhaps be explained by an episode recorded by Pausanias (Description of Greece, 1.9.5) and Justin (Epitome of Pompey Trogue's "Philippic histories", XV, 3, 1-9) in which Lysimachos was thrown to a lion by Alexander, but besting the animal with his bare hands, was thenceforth treated with great respect.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; only one in Pella, no others on CoinArchives.
Ex Numismatik Lanz München, Auction 157, 9 December 2013, lot 109.
This extremely rare issue has not been formally attributed to any particular issuing authority. It seems reasonable however, given the preponderance of lion-head adjuncts on the issues of Lysimachos struck at Lysimacheia, Kolophon and other mints that the present issue represents an early gold stater issued in the name and types of Alexander under the authority of Lysimachos, perhaps while strategos of Thrace, before he assumed the royal title in 306/5 BC.
The recurring usage of the lion symbol on his coinage may perhaps be explained by an episode recorded by Pausanias (Description of Greece, 1.9.5) and Justin (Epitome of Pompey Trogue's "Philippic histories", XV, 3, 1-9) in which Lysimachos was thrown to a lion by Alexander, but besting the animal with his bare hands, was thenceforth treated with great respect.