THESSALY, Pherai. Alexander. Tyrant, 369-359 BC. AR Stater (22.5mm, 11.55 g, 5h). Near EF.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 172. Estimated: $ 75 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 75 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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THESSALY, Pherai. Alexander. Tyrant, 369-359 BC. AR Stater (22.5mm, 11.55 g, 5h). Head of Ennodia facing slightly right, wearing pearl diadem, earring in the form of a grape bunch, and linear necklace; torch to left / A-Λ-E-ΞA-N-ΔPOY, Alexander, wearing Thessalian military attire and sheathed sword, brandishing spear he holds aloft in his right hand, on horse, with labrys on it hind quarter, rearing right; labrys below. BCD Thessaly I 1309 (this coin); HGC 4, 576 (this coin illustrated); Traité IV 612 = Jameson 1106 (same dies). Deeply toned, slight roughness and a few tiny delaminations. Near EF. A wonderful example of this very rare issue, struck in high relief from dies of fine style.

From the Father & Son Collection. Ex Sheikh Saud Al-Thani Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 116, 1 October 2019), lot 119; BCD Collection (Nomos 4, 10 May 2011), lot 1309.

One of the ironies of ancient Greek numismatics is how a cruel, treacherous tyrant like Alexander of Pherai could produce a coin of such surpassing beauty. The son of a previous Thessalian tyrant, Alexander murdered his way into his late father’s position of power in 369 BC and immediately embarked on a rule so bloody that much of Thessaly rebelled and invited the armies of Macedon and Thebes to invade and depose him. Nearly a decade of warfare and atrocities followed, until a conspiracy led by his own wife ended his life and tyranny in 359 BC. Alexander’s extremely rare silver staters depict Ennodia, a uniquely Thessalian goddess who shared attributes with Artemis, Hecate and Persephone. The reverse depicts Alexander as a mounted officer in full kit, paying tribute to the loyal Thessalian cavalry that helped maintain him in power against superior forces.

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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