Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 480 11 Nov 2020
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KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. As Satrap, 323-305 BC. AR Tetrobol (14mm, 2.45 g, 7h). In the types of Philip II of Macedon. Amphipolis mint. Head of Apollo right, wearing tainia / Nude youth on horseback right; below, forepart of lion right; in exergue, spearhead right. Thompson 3; Price 434; Müller pl. I, 1; HGC 3, 1745 (and same obv. die as illustration of 1744, in name of Philip II). Lightly toned, slight granularity, minor double strike on reverse. VF. Attractive for issue.
From the BRN Collection.
This example was struck from an obverse die that was also used for the earliest issues of this type, in the name of Philip II of Macedon (cf. HGC 3, 1744 illustration = CNG 88, lot 63; and Gorny & Mosch 160, lot 1195).
Although these coins have traditionally been attributed to the beginning of Lysimachos' reign as king of Thrace, more recent scholarship has persuasively placed them early in the period of his satrapy. Price, in his study of the coinage of Alexander the Great and Philip III, discounts the prior dating (circa 306/5 BC) and mint attribution (Lysimacheia), and argues for an issue placed at Amphipolis, circa 320-315 BC. During this time, Lysimachos was constantly waging war against the Thracian tribes and likely needed coinage for troop payments. The only source for him, at that time, would be his close friend Kassander, who controlled the mint at Amphipolis. This placement and dating conform well to the current scholarship regarding the minting of Philip II-type tetrobols (or fifth tetradrachms). For further background, see, e.g.: Price, pp. 130 and 197; AMNG III, p. 171; and H. Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship (Routledge, 1992), p. 57.
From the BRN Collection.
This example was struck from an obverse die that was also used for the earliest issues of this type, in the name of Philip II of Macedon (cf. HGC 3, 1744 illustration = CNG 88, lot 63; and Gorny & Mosch 160, lot 1195).
Although these coins have traditionally been attributed to the beginning of Lysimachos' reign as king of Thrace, more recent scholarship has persuasively placed them early in the period of his satrapy. Price, in his study of the coinage of Alexander the Great and Philip III, discounts the prior dating (circa 306/5 BC) and mint attribution (Lysimacheia), and argues for an issue placed at Amphipolis, circa 320-315 BC. During this time, Lysimachos was constantly waging war against the Thracian tribes and likely needed coinage for troop payments. The only source for him, at that time, would be his close friend Kassander, who controlled the mint at Amphipolis. This placement and dating conform well to the current scholarship regarding the minting of Philip II-type tetrobols (or fifth tetradrachms). For further background, see, e.g.: Price, pp. 130 and 197; AMNG III, p. 171; and H. Lund, Lysimachus: A Study in Early Hellenistic Kingship (Routledge, 1992), p. 57.