Nomos 4

THESSALY, Ainianes. Circa 302-286 BC. Dichalkon (Bronze, 20mm, 4.37 g 9), Hypata. Laureate and bearded head of Zeus to left. Rev. ΑΙΝΙΑΝ-ΩΝ Phemios, nude but for chlamys over his shoulder and sword in scabbard, shooting sling to right; behind, leaning against his right leg, two spears. BMC 18. Rogers 137. SNG Copenhagen 4-5. An unusually fine example, with a dark, smooth olive-green patina. About extremely fine.

Acquired from Frank Sternberg in July 1983.

The exact dating of the coinage of the Ainianes after the 4th century is rather in flux. We know they were joined to the Aetolian League from c. 286/272 -168, and it is believed that they produced no independent coinage during this period, save for some rare bronze of Aitolian type (as below, lot 1017). Afterwards they produced a considerable coinage in the later 2nd and 1st centuries. The present piece, and the following lot, seem not to fall into either late group: neither have a magistrate’s name, and must be earlier. Neither seem as early as the mid 4th century so they have been given the traditional date of the late 4th or early 3rd century. This surely may change.