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MACEDON, Mende. Circa 460-423 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 17.20 g, 2h). Inebriated Dionysos, holding kantharos, reclining left on the back of an ass standing right; to right, bird perched right within branches / Ethnic within shallow incuse square around linear square containing a vine with five bunches of grapes. Noe, Mende 26 (this coin referenced and illustrated); HGC 3, 545. Toned, granular surfaces on obverse. VF.
Ex G. Empedocles Collection; 1913 Kaliandra Hoard (IGCH 358).
The city of Mende, located on the Pallene Peninsula on the eastern shore of the Thermaic Gulf, was, according to Thucydides (4.123.1), founded by Eretria in the 8th century. It later founded colonies of its own: Neapolis on the eastern coast of Pallene, and Eion at the mouth of the river Strymon near Amphipolis. Mende’s wealth is indicated by the high amounts of tribute paid to the Delian Confederacy: eight talents until 451-450 BC, and then amounts ranging from five to nine talents after 438-437 BC. During the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) Mende originally sided with Athens, but then, on the urging of the oligarchs, went over to the Spartan general Brasidas. It eventually returned to the Athenian side, but is not mentioned in connection with the Peace of Nicias. From 415-414 BC, Mende again appears in the Athenian Tribute Lists, but by the fourth century the city was only minting copper coins. The Dionysiac types of Mende proclaim it as a famous wine producing city, as attested by its amphoras that have been found throughout the Mediterranean. On this delightful coin, Dionysos, who rules wine and winemaking, is shown being carried home drunk from a symposion, a type of careless joy that links the world of men with the Olympians – at least until the morning.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 129 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 13-14 May 2025. This lot is in Session One, which will begin 13 May at 9 AM ET.
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