MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 390 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 14.45 g, 2h). Olynthos mint. NGC Ch AU★, 5/5, 4/5.

CNG Feature Auction 124
Lot: 95. Estimated: $ 5 000

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 8 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 390 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 14.45 g, 2h). Olynthos mint. Head of Apollo left, wearing laurel wreath / Kithara; X-A-Λ-KIΔ-EΩN around; all within incuse square. Robinson & Clement Group F, 6 (A6/P6); HGC 3, 497; SNG ANS 471. In NGC encapsulation 3808154-018, graded Ch AU★, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5.

The Chalkidike is a three-fingered spit of land extending from eastern Macedon into the Aegean Sea. Wary of Athenian imperialism and the rising power of the Macedonian Kingdom, the free cities of the Chalkidike banded together in 432 BC to form a defensive coalition called the Chalkidian League, with its capital of Olynthos. The silver coinage struck at Olynthos was on the Macedonian standard, somewhat lighter than the Attic standard employed by most of Greece, and was legal tender at all cities belonging to the league. The standard design featured a head of Apollo, god of beauty, art and music, with a type of lyre called a kithara on the reverse. The heads of Apollo on these pieces are remarkable for the beauty of their style. Some of the most beautiful dies in the series were produced in the early fourth century BC, of which an outstanding example is seen here. The Chalkidian League’s coinage came to an end with the capture and destruction of Olynthos by King Philip II of Macedon in 348 BC.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 124 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 September 2023. This lot is in Session One, which will begin 19 September at 9 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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