KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.48 g, 6h). Ephesos mint. Struck circa 294-287 BC. Choice EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 128. Estimated: $ 10 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 18 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.48 g, 6h). Ephesos mint. Struck circa 294-287 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; to inner left, E Φ flanking bee. Thompson 164; Müller 420; HGC 3, 1743f; SNG Berry 443; Anadol 58. Underlying luster, hairline in field on obverse. Choice EF.

From the Father & Son Collection, purchased from Ancient Art. Ex Gorny & Mosch 224 (13 October 2014), lot 813; Gorny & Mosch 125 (13 October 2003), lot 88.

Alexander the Great’s meteoric 13-year career of conquest left the classical world profoundly transformed by the time of his premature death in 323 BC. In the aftermath, Alexander’s generals carved up his immense new empire into spheres of influence. Territorial disputes soon led to civil wars, with the rival diadochi (successors) contending for supreme power. Chief among these was Lysimachos, who at various times controlled Thrace, Macedon and much of Asia Minor. For the obverse of his gold and silver coinage, Lysimachos claimed the mantle of Alexander by choosing the image of the conqueror himself, now shown as a god wearing the ram’s horn of the Greco-Egyptian deity Ammon. The image is one of the earliest true portraits to appear on a coin, and one of the finest. Struck at a host of mints throughout the Hellenstic world, Lysimachos-type staters, tetradrachms and drachms exhibited a variety of engraving styles and continued to be struck for decades after their creator’s death. The die engravers of Ephesos, which produced this beautiful gold stater, are regarded as among the finest. The reverse design, depicting Athena enthroned, likewise proved extremely influential throughout history, forming the archetype for the figure of Britannia on modern English coins. Ever the warlord, Lysimachos fought ceaselessly against his rivals until he finally fell in battle at age 79 against Seleukos I Nikator in 281 BC.

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session One – Lot 1-337 will be held Tuesday morning, 9 January 2024 beginning at 9:00 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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