Nomos 11

THRACE, Abdera. Circa 450-425 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25mm, 14.82 g 1), magistrate Pythinnes. Griffin seated to left, right foreleg raised; to left, open hand downwards to right. ΕΠΙ Π(“Ε”)ΥΘΙΝΝΕΩ (sic!) around a linear quadripartite square; all within shallow incuse square. Gemini IV, 2008, 100 (same dies). May - (but cf. 139 for a coin from the same magistrate, struck from the same reverse die). A very rare variant, perhaps the second example known. Slightly rough surfaces on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine/very fine.

From a collection in the USA, acquired in 2007.

This is a fascinating coin because of the very odd way the reverse legend appears. At first glance it appears to read Ευθιννεω but when it is examined very carefully it can be seen that what looks like an Ε is actually a Π plus a striking defect! In any case the griffin is beautifully engraved and the hand symbol is drawn from life - perhaps it is that of the engraver’s!