MACEDON, Chalkidian League. Circa 383/2 BC. AR Tetrobol (14mm, 2.41 g, 3h). Olynthos mint. Head of Apollo right, wearing laurel wreath / Kithara; X-A-Λ-KI[Δ-E]ΩN around; all within incuse square. Robinson & Clement Group H, 58 (A45/P39); AMNG III/2, 18–9; HGC 3, 498. In NGC encapsulation 3599321-001, graded MS, Strike: 4/5, 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 Chalkidian League’s coinage came to an end with the capture and destruction of Olynthos by King Philip II of Macedon in 348 BC.
