Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 106 16 Feb 2023
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Thrace, Lysimacheia as Seleukeia(?), Æ 9mm. After 280 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet / Σ[Ε]-ΛΕY, grain ear with two leaves. A. Dieudonné, Monnaies Grecques in RN 6/1903, p. 342, 150 (Cilician Seleukeia); SC Ad31 (Seleukos II(?), unattributed Western issue); see CN Type 12091 & 12083 (reverse only) for same type but with ΛΥ as ethnic of Lysimacheia, dated 280-279 BC. 0.82g, 9mm, 9h.
Near Very Fine. Of great numismatic interest; apparently the only known issue of Lysimacheia as Seleukeia.
From the inventory of a German dealer.
Lysimacheia was built by Lysimachus in 309 BC when he was preparing for the last struggle with his rivals; for the new city, being situated on the isthmus, commanded the road from Sestos to the north and the mainland of Thrace. In order to obtain inhabitants for his new city, Lysimachus destroyed the neighbouring town of Cardia, and made Lysimacheia the capital of his kingdom. After his death the city fell under the dominion of Seleukids, and during the wars between Seleukos II Kallinikos and Ptolemy Euergetes, it passed from the hands of the Seleukids into those of the Ptolemies.
Our coin was possibly struck in the period after the Seleukids took the city when it was renamed Seleukeia for a short time. It could have circulated together with CN Type 12091 and 12083 or some time later, but it is unknown why no more examples with this ethnic are known.
Both Dieudonné and SC doubt the identification: the former indicates that this type is not to be found among Seleukeia's catalogues, where instead of a grain ear there is a flower, and the latter puts the issuer and mint under question.
Near Very Fine. Of great numismatic interest; apparently the only known issue of Lysimacheia as Seleukeia.
From the inventory of a German dealer.
Lysimacheia was built by Lysimachus in 309 BC when he was preparing for the last struggle with his rivals; for the new city, being situated on the isthmus, commanded the road from Sestos to the north and the mainland of Thrace. In order to obtain inhabitants for his new city, Lysimachus destroyed the neighbouring town of Cardia, and made Lysimacheia the capital of his kingdom. After his death the city fell under the dominion of Seleukids, and during the wars between Seleukos II Kallinikos and Ptolemy Euergetes, it passed from the hands of the Seleukids into those of the Ptolemies.
Our coin was possibly struck in the period after the Seleukids took the city when it was renamed Seleukeia for a short time. It could have circulated together with CN Type 12091 and 12083 or some time later, but it is unknown why no more examples with this ethnic are known.
Both Dieudonné and SC doubt the identification: the former indicates that this type is not to be found among Seleukeia's catalogues, where instead of a grain ear there is a flower, and the latter puts the issuer and mint under question.