Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 14 12-13 Dec 2020
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
KINGS OF THRACE. Odrysian. Seuthes II, circa 405-386 BC. AE (Bronze, 19 mm, 15.42 g, 7 h). Forepart of a horse to right. Rev. ΣEY/ΘO Kotyle; all within incuse square. Cf. Gorny & Mosch 241 (2016), 1270 = Peykov p. 45, Type I (round incuse). HGC -. Jurukova -. Peter -. Topalov, Urban, -, cf. 76 (round incuse). Of the highest rarity, apparently the fourth known bronze coins of Seuthes II, and the first with a square incuse. Somewhat rough and with some delaminations, otherwise, very fine.
This is not the place to discuss the authenticity of the silver coinage of Seuthes I/II - a topic on which much has been said and written - but we can at least assess whether the bronze coins were struck by Seuthes I (circa 424-405 BC) or Seuthes II (circa 405-386 BC). Clearly their style and fabric are very similar to the thick bronzes of Metokos (HGC 3, 1689-1691) and Kotys I (HGC 3, 1698), which does point to a contemporary production, and thereby an attribution to Seuthes II, who was a rival of Metokos. In addition, it is worth noting that while the horse is a common motif on Odrysian coins, there are two reverse types that keep reemerging, exclusively, for a number of kings, namely the labrys on coins of Metokos (circa 405-391 BC), Amatokos II (circa 389/359-356/351 BC) and Teres II (351-342/1 BC), and the kotyle on coins of Seuthes I/II, Hebryzelmis (circa 390/87-383 BC), Kotys I (383-359 BC) and Kersebleptes (359-342/1 BC). This begs the question of whether these symbols were in fact family emblems, therefore indicating relationships and lines of successions. If this were true, the labrys, as the symbol of Metokos, reveals that the eponymous Amatokos II was his son and successor and that Teres II was probably his grandson. The kotyle, on the other hand, suggests a relationship between Metokos' rival, Seuthes II, and Hebryzelmis, Kotys I and Kersebleptes, who were perhaps Seuthes II's son/brother, son and grandson, respectively. Thus, Metokos and Seuthes II both founded rivalling dynasties in different regions of Thrace for decades until the invasion by Philip II of Macedon in 342/1 led Teres II and Kersebleptes to unite their forces in an attempt to repell this common foe. However, Philip II prevailed and both kings were eventually deposed.
This is not the place to discuss the authenticity of the silver coinage of Seuthes I/II - a topic on which much has been said and written - but we can at least assess whether the bronze coins were struck by Seuthes I (circa 424-405 BC) or Seuthes II (circa 405-386 BC). Clearly their style and fabric are very similar to the thick bronzes of Metokos (HGC 3, 1689-1691) and Kotys I (HGC 3, 1698), which does point to a contemporary production, and thereby an attribution to Seuthes II, who was a rival of Metokos. In addition, it is worth noting that while the horse is a common motif on Odrysian coins, there are two reverse types that keep reemerging, exclusively, for a number of kings, namely the labrys on coins of Metokos (circa 405-391 BC), Amatokos II (circa 389/359-356/351 BC) and Teres II (351-342/1 BC), and the kotyle on coins of Seuthes I/II, Hebryzelmis (circa 390/87-383 BC), Kotys I (383-359 BC) and Kersebleptes (359-342/1 BC). This begs the question of whether these symbols were in fact family emblems, therefore indicating relationships and lines of successions. If this were true, the labrys, as the symbol of Metokos, reveals that the eponymous Amatokos II was his son and successor and that Teres II was probably his grandson. The kotyle, on the other hand, suggests a relationship between Metokos' rival, Seuthes II, and Hebryzelmis, Kotys I and Kersebleptes, who were perhaps Seuthes II's son/brother, son and grandson, respectively. Thus, Metokos and Seuthes II both founded rivalling dynasties in different regions of Thrace for decades until the invasion by Philip II of Macedon in 342/1 led Teres II and Kersebleptes to unite their forces in an attempt to repell this common foe. However, Philip II prevailed and both kings were eventually deposed.