Obolos 15

KINGS OF THRACE. Lysimachos, 305-281 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30.5 mm, 17.19 g, 12 h), Pergamum, 287/6-282. Diademed head of Alexander III to right, ram’s horn over his ear. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena seated to left on throne, resting her left elbow on her shield and holding Nike in her outstretched right hand; in outer left field, crescent to left; in inner left, cult image; in the exergue, monogram of TE. Arnold-Biucchi 20 (O6/R19). Thompson 218. SNG Oxford 3751 (same dies). Of splendid style, struck in high relief, by the same engraver who cut the dies for K series. Good very fine.

There are so many tetradrachms of Lysimachos! With their horned portraits of Alexander they have long been very popular. They range in date from lifetime issues, which began in the 290s, down to late versions produced in the 1st century BC. Stylistically they go from the heights of Hellenistic portraiture to curious caricatures, that have actually been turned into disguised portraits of Mithridates VI! What we have here is, without question, one of the best of all the Alexander heads to appear on a coin of Lysimachos. The emotional intensity – pathos – that radiates from this head is a triumph of engraving skill.