Nomos 25

KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander I, 498-454 BC. Oktadrachm (Silver, 32 mm, 27.91 g), Aigai, c. 492-480/79 BC. Horseman walking right, wearing petasos and holding two transverse spears, on the far side of a bridled horse he leads slowly to the right; on the flank of the horse, brand mark in the shape of a kerykeion. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III, p. 49, 7 (as Bisaltai). HPM pl. XII, 1 (Bisaltai). Raymond pl. II, 5-6. Cf. SNG ANS 1 (without kerykeion). A sharply-struck coin with bold types. Test cut on the edge, otherwise, extremely fine.

Ex Roma XXII, 7 October 2021, 228.

This coin formed part of Alexander I's early main coinage, struck soon after he took over the silver producing areas previously controlled by the Derrones and other tribes. These earlier coins were probably produced by the same local artisans who were responsible for the tribal issues; thus their rigorous, local style. Alexander's later issues, as the following lot, utilised Greek, or at least Greek trained, artists to produce their dies.