Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXIII 24-25 Mar 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Thraco-Macedonian Tribes, Ichnai AR Obol. Circa 485-470 BC. Horse's hoof in profile to right, pellet in right field / Four spoked wheel within shallow incuse square. Unpublished in the standard references, for the Ichnai series cf. Peykov A1700-1770; HGC 3.1, 298-308; Svoronos HPM pl. 4, 5-19. 0.42g, 8mm.
Extremely Fine. Unpublished and apparently unique.
From a private European collection.
This newly discovered obol denomination fits perfectly with the already known denominations of Ichnai from Oktadrachm to Hemiobol. The identity of this obol with one pellet is confirmed by the diobols with two pellets weighing just over double of the previous (HGC 3.1, 303-5). The hoof type seems to be inspired by the slightly earlier silver obol attributed to Kephallenis by Traité III, 1228 = Pozzi 1876, that maybe contributed to the mass colonisation of the Pangeion region in the early 5th century BC. The introduction of coinage in the Pangeion region of eastern Macedonia during the silver rush from the mid 6th century BC produced a bewildering array of denominations, from double oktadrachms of 68g to obols of about 0.5g. This silver rush attracted colonists from all over the Hellenic world, which may explain the diversity of types and complicated weight standards, exemplified by the polis of the Ichnai tribe. It was probably originally a Paionian settlement that received settlers from Southern Greece and participated in the colonization of Amphipolis by the Macedonians.
Extremely Fine. Unpublished and apparently unique.
From a private European collection.
This newly discovered obol denomination fits perfectly with the already known denominations of Ichnai from Oktadrachm to Hemiobol. The identity of this obol with one pellet is confirmed by the diobols with two pellets weighing just over double of the previous (HGC 3.1, 303-5). The hoof type seems to be inspired by the slightly earlier silver obol attributed to Kephallenis by Traité III, 1228 = Pozzi 1876, that maybe contributed to the mass colonisation of the Pangeion region in the early 5th century BC. The introduction of coinage in the Pangeion region of eastern Macedonia during the silver rush from the mid 6th century BC produced a bewildering array of denominations, from double oktadrachms of 68g to obols of about 0.5g. This silver rush attracted colonists from all over the Hellenic world, which may explain the diversity of types and complicated weight standards, exemplified by the polis of the Ichnai tribe. It was probably originally a Paionian settlement that received settlers from Southern Greece and participated in the colonization of Amphipolis by the Macedonians.