Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 121 6-8 Oct 2022
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KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (32.5mm, 17.05 g, 8h). Uncertain mint in northwest Asia Minor. Struck circa 297/6-282/1 BC, or slightly later. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; kerykeion to inner left, monogram in exergue. Thompson –; Müller 110; cf. HGC 3, 1750 (for type); Gemini VI, lot 85 var. (same obv. die, monogram reversed); Künker 347, lot 660 var. (slightly different monogram). Toned, trace deposits, some marks. Good VF.
The kerykeion is a common symbol on Lysimachos' issues at Amphipolis, but elements of this coin are not consistent with the products of that mint. For one, the portrait style, particularly the short hair on the neck, is not found on any of the published issues from Amphipolis, and is more consistent with the coins from one of Lysimachos's mints in western Asia Minor, such as Ephesos (cf. Meydancikkale 2659) or Alexandreia Troas (cf. Thompson pl. 20, 163). Also, on the issues at Amphipolis with kerykeion, the secondary controls are always placed in the outer right field, not the exergue, as on this coin. Nonetheless, the kerykeion does appear to be indicative of the mint; it is present on a number of examples with varying monograms in the exergue (in addition to those referenced above, see also CNG 114, lot 101 = CNG 88, lot 66 and Heritage 3091, lot 32042).
The kerykeion is a common symbol on Lysimachos' issues at Amphipolis, but elements of this coin are not consistent with the products of that mint. For one, the portrait style, particularly the short hair on the neck, is not found on any of the published issues from Amphipolis, and is more consistent with the coins from one of Lysimachos's mints in western Asia Minor, such as Ephesos (cf. Meydancikkale 2659) or Alexandreia Troas (cf. Thompson pl. 20, 163). Also, on the issues at Amphipolis with kerykeion, the secondary controls are always placed in the outer right field, not the exergue, as on this coin. Nonetheless, the kerykeion does appear to be indicative of the mint; it is present on a number of examples with varying monograms in the exergue (in addition to those referenced above, see also CNG 114, lot 101 = CNG 88, lot 66 and Heritage 3091, lot 32042).