Obolos 13

THESSALY. Gomphi-Philippopolis. Circa 300 BC, or later until the 280s. Tetrachalkon (Bronze, 20 mm, 7.92 g, 7 h). Head of a nymph, turned three-quarters facing to left, her hair seemingly floating and bound with a diadem, and wearing a pearl necklace. Rev. ΓΟΜΦΕ-ΩΝ Zeus Palamnaios seated left on backless throne, holding thunderbolt in his right hand and long scepter in his left. BCD I 1044. BMC 4. Rogers 220. Well preserved and well centered with a fine dark patina. Good very fine.

This issue, in which the head of Hera on the obverse is replaced with that of a nymph in the style of those of Larissa, seems to have been much more extensive than the coins with Hera that preceded it. The style of this issue is also clearly later than those with Hera: in addition, the fact that Zeus is now seated on a throne and holds both a scepter and a thunderbolt has undoubtedly been influenced by the widespread silver coinage of Alexander. That the coin could be even later, down into the first quarter of the 3rd century, is suggested by the legend arrangement, which, with its legend flanking Zeus, is similar to that of many posthumous Alexanders.