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Obolos 16

11 October 2020
Webauction
overview
Starting Price: 75 CHF
Hammer Price:  300 CHF
Lot 619

KINGS OF THRACE. Lysimachos, 305-281 BC. Drachm (Silver, 18 mm, 4.22 g, 11 h), Ephesus, circa 294-287. Diademed head of the deified Alexander the Great to right, with horn of Ammon over his ear. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟ[Υ] Athena seated to left on throne, leaning her left elbow on her shield and holding Nike, crowning the king’s name, in her right; behind, transverse spear with point below left; in inner left field, spear head; on side of throne, A. Müller 60. Thompson 173. Well-centered. Very fine.



Until at least 297 BC Lysimachos continued production of Alexandrine types at the imperial mints under his control to supply both staters and drachms and to a very limited extent tetradrachms. For the bulk of his tetradrachm needs, it seems he relied on his close friend and colleague, Kassander, who operated the Macedonian mints at Pella and Amphipolis. In 297 Kassander died, and after his death Lysimachos changed the designs on his coinage to show the head of the deified Alexander on the obverse and a seated Athena Nikephoros on the reverse. Out of necessity he also substantially increased the production of tetradrachms at this time. Thompson notes that "one can scarcely avoid the conclusion that the events (of Kassander's death and Lysimachos design changes) were connected" although she does not elaborate (Thompson p. 165). Between 293 and 287, Lysimachos' mints specialized in producing different denominations. Sardis, Magnesia and especially Lampsakos produced huge quantities of tetradrachms, while Alexandria Troas was chiefly responsible for the production of staters. Lysimachos opened a new mint at Ephesos to supply the bulk of his drachms, and in this sale we are offering several very attractive and affordably estimated examples.

Online bidding closes: 11 Oct 2020, 19:09:30 CEST Current Date & Time: 28 Mar 2024, 13:58:32 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:300 CHF by MailBidder3867 (9 bids)
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