Watch List notes:

THESSALY, Thessalian league. Mid-first century BC. AR stater (6,14 g). Petraios and Ptolemaios, magistrates. Head of Zeus, wreathed with oak leaves / ΘΕΣΣΑΛΩΝ, ΠΕΤΡΑΙΟV above, ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΣ in exergue. Athena Itonia advancing right. Toned. Ex. Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 251, lot 19. February 10th, 2010. . The Thessalian plains were settled by doric Greeks during the "dark Ages" (900-700 BC). They founded townships and cities, warring each other in traditional Greek manner, but in the 5th century BC they found that they could be better off if allying the cities in a league. The league joined Xerxes against Athens/Sparta during the Persian invasions. Not all Greeks were "Greekish". When these coins were made the league were under Roman control, and the weight corresponded closely to two roman victoriati. Petraios, strategos of the Thessalian league, was a strong supporter of Julius Caesar and sided with him during the civil war against Pompey. As a token of gratitude, Petraios and other greek supporters were granted roman citizenship. After the assassination of Caesar, Petraios was executed by Brutus and the Liberatores after they fled Rome and took control of the eastern provinces. Grade:1+