Nomos 8

KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Stater (Gold, 17mm, 8.59 g 6), Uncertain mint, probably Eastern, c. 300-250 BC. Head of Athena to right, wearing Corinthian helmet adorned with serpent. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Nike standing left, holding wreath in her right hand and stylis in her left; to left, between Nike’s body and her wing, ΝΙΚΟΔ; below wing, ΚΟ; to left, race torch. Price p. 562, citing Müller 82, a tetradrachm with the same letters and symbols. Apparently unique. A fascinating and unusual coin with a reverse of very fine style. Some minor marks and scuffs, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From a northern European collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group 87, 18 May 2011, 352.

This is a somewhat mysterious coin: a silver tetradrachm with the same letters and symbol was listed in Müller but that coin can no longer be traced and nothing more is known about it. Stylistically our coin looks eastern, and while the obverse head of Athena is not particularly well made, the reverse is quite excellent so any form of barbaric manufacture must be excluded.