Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
January 2015 NYINC Auction - Sess. A 9 January 2015
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MACEDON. Macedonian Tribes. The Derrones. AR Dodekadrachm (40.67 gms), ca. 480-465 B.C.
Svor Hellen-pl. l.12 (these dies); cf.SNGDewing-1015; Mitchiner Early Coinage, 897 (these dies). Slow biga right, driven by two oxen, crested Corinthian helmet above; Reverse: Triskeles. Large sized Thraco-Macedonian silver issues are virtually all flat on the reverse. In this cataloger's opinion, these large Macedonian issues were likely produced in a different manner than that of most conventional ancient coinage. The Octodrachms of the Bisaltae, as well as the Octodrachms of Alexander I and the Dodecadrachms of the Derrones, were seemingly produced in a two part process. Flattening on the reverse would suggest the coins were struck with each die individually, rather than at the same time. The reasoning for this is most likely due to the coins massive size. The reverse design was the first to be struck onto the planchet, the coin would then be turned over and struck with the obverse design. Evidence of this can be seen on the coin offered here as there is some flattening to the triskeles on the reverse. The reverse design featured on this coinage, although partially incuse, would be purely ornamental rather than a function of pushing metal into the obverse die. These Dodecadrachms of the Derrones are perhaps the best example of this double striking minting process, as they display a triskeles on the reverse which is predominantly found flattened or mashed as a result of the secondary strike. The initial planchets were undoubtedly cast as many example are found with large air bubbles and regular formed flans. The piece offered here is struck on a well rounded planchet that allows for near perfect centering, with virtually every aspect of both obverse and reverse dies present. The evenness of the secondary strike was executed with evenly dispersed pressure allowing for a near full triskeles on the reverse, which is quite RARE. Lightly toned with excellent metal quality for type. An exceptional example of the large size early Macedonian silver issue. Choice. NEARLY EXTREMELY FINE
Ex: Numismatic Ars Classica Auction #33 4/2006 Lot #132.
Estimate: $15000.00- $20000.00
Svor Hellen-pl. l.12 (these dies); cf.SNGDewing-1015; Mitchiner Early Coinage, 897 (these dies). Slow biga right, driven by two oxen, crested Corinthian helmet above; Reverse: Triskeles. Large sized Thraco-Macedonian silver issues are virtually all flat on the reverse. In this cataloger's opinion, these large Macedonian issues were likely produced in a different manner than that of most conventional ancient coinage. The Octodrachms of the Bisaltae, as well as the Octodrachms of Alexander I and the Dodecadrachms of the Derrones, were seemingly produced in a two part process. Flattening on the reverse would suggest the coins were struck with each die individually, rather than at the same time. The reasoning for this is most likely due to the coins massive size. The reverse design was the first to be struck onto the planchet, the coin would then be turned over and struck with the obverse design. Evidence of this can be seen on the coin offered here as there is some flattening to the triskeles on the reverse. The reverse design featured on this coinage, although partially incuse, would be purely ornamental rather than a function of pushing metal into the obverse die. These Dodecadrachms of the Derrones are perhaps the best example of this double striking minting process, as they display a triskeles on the reverse which is predominantly found flattened or mashed as a result of the secondary strike. The initial planchets were undoubtedly cast as many example are found with large air bubbles and regular formed flans. The piece offered here is struck on a well rounded planchet that allows for near perfect centering, with virtually every aspect of both obverse and reverse dies present. The evenness of the secondary strike was executed with evenly dispersed pressure allowing for a near full triskeles on the reverse, which is quite RARE. Lightly toned with excellent metal quality for type. An exceptional example of the large size early Macedonian silver issue. Choice. NEARLY EXTREMELY FINE
Ex: Numismatic Ars Classica Auction #33 4/2006 Lot #132.
Estimate: $15000.00- $20000.00