Nomos 33

MACEDON. Aphytis. Circa 510-480 BC. Tetrobol (Silver, 12 mm, 2.47 g). Tripod. Rev. Incuse square with eight triangular divisions, two of which are filled. Tzamalis 76. Very rare. For the attribution see the note below. Minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.

From the Collection of Jonathan H. Kagan.

There is some debate over this coin's attribution. Back in 1885 Gardner suggested that a coin he saw came from Zakynthos, especially since the weight comes out to be a quarter of a Korkyraian stater. However, since that time anecdotal evidence concerning nearly a dozen other examples of this basic type - coins that have appeared on the market both publicly and privately, points definitely towards a Macedonian origin. Specifically in the area of Pallene. What we do know is that the issue was struck from a number of dies. There are obverses that bear tripods without extra struts, as this one, and others with curved and more elaborate supports. Reverses can be irregular or with clear triangular divisions as we have here. They seem to be invariably in worn condition. The more specific attribution to Aphytis, which had an important sanctuary of Zeus, is also based on findspots.