Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXII 7-8 Oct 2021
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Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander I AR Oktadrachm. Aigai, circa 492-479 BC. Horseman, wearing chlamys and petasos, and holding two spears, leading bridled horse branded with kerykeion symbol on flank to right / Shallow quadripartite incuse square. Raymond pl. II, 5-6; AMNG III p. 49, 7 (Bisaltai); Boston MFA 617 (same); SNG ANS -, cf. 1 var. (no kerykeion); HGC 3.1, 753 var. (same). 27.93g, 31mm.
Extremely Fine; test cut resulting in flan crack, light cabinet tone. Very Rare.
From the inventory of a UK dealer.
Alexander I, the first Macedonian king to issue coins in his name, emerged from the Greco-Persian Wars with a political strength that seems never to have been challenged during his reign. He secured the former Derronian silver mines by extending his rule eastwards, and it is at this time that the considerable output of Thraco-Macedonian tribal coinage ended. Shortly thereafter, Alexander began issuing coins with his name neatly arranged around the incuse square on the reverse. Interestingly, on this regal coinage of Alexander the weights of the oktadrachms and heavy tetrobols are struck on a heavier Thraco-Macedonian standard, while the tetradrachms, oktobols and light tetrobols are struck to a lighter standard following that used at the principal Greek mints.
The earlier coins of Alexander, of which this coin is a particularly outstanding example, employed the denominations, types and weight standards of the surrounding Thraco-Macedonian tribal coinages. The oktadrachms in particular strayed little from the preceding tribal oktadrachms, and show on the obverse a horseman either leading or riding his steed, while the reverse employs a quadripartite square in incuse, such as is found on contemporary oktadrachms of the Bisaltai (e.g., see Kraay, ACGC, 494). The engraving style is still provincial, and has not yet been replaced by the more sophisticated style that appears later in Alexander's reign, perhaps indicative of the employment of Greek artists at the royal Macedonian court.
Extremely Fine; test cut resulting in flan crack, light cabinet tone. Very Rare.
From the inventory of a UK dealer.
Alexander I, the first Macedonian king to issue coins in his name, emerged from the Greco-Persian Wars with a political strength that seems never to have been challenged during his reign. He secured the former Derronian silver mines by extending his rule eastwards, and it is at this time that the considerable output of Thraco-Macedonian tribal coinage ended. Shortly thereafter, Alexander began issuing coins with his name neatly arranged around the incuse square on the reverse. Interestingly, on this regal coinage of Alexander the weights of the oktadrachms and heavy tetrobols are struck on a heavier Thraco-Macedonian standard, while the tetradrachms, oktobols and light tetrobols are struck to a lighter standard following that used at the principal Greek mints.
The earlier coins of Alexander, of which this coin is a particularly outstanding example, employed the denominations, types and weight standards of the surrounding Thraco-Macedonian tribal coinages. The oktadrachms in particular strayed little from the preceding tribal oktadrachms, and show on the obverse a horseman either leading or riding his steed, while the reverse employs a quadripartite square in incuse, such as is found on contemporary oktadrachms of the Bisaltai (e.g., see Kraay, ACGC, 494). The engraving style is still provincial, and has not yet been replaced by the more sophisticated style that appears later in Alexander's reign, perhaps indicative of the employment of Greek artists at the royal Macedonian court.