IONIA, Lebedos. Circa 140-135 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30.5mm, 16.34 g, 12h). Stephanophoric type. Anaxipolis, magistrate. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 129
Lot: 243.
Closing Date: May 14 2025 11:00 ET

Greek, 12h, Silver

Estimate: $ 1 500

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IONIA, Lebedos. Circa 140-135 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30.5mm, 16.34 g, 12h). Stephanophoric type. Anaxipolis, magistrate. Helemted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing, on club between two filleted cornucopias; all within wreath. Amandry, Tétradrachmes, Group III, – (D3/R9 [unlisted die combination]); Kinns 32; SNG Copenhagen –. Toned, much find patina, some light roughness, nick on edge. Good VF.

Lebedos was located on the central coast of Ionia, to the north of Ephesos. Very little is known of the town, which was best known for its mineral springs. Pausanias noted that it was originally inhabited by Carians, but later, Ionian Greeks migrated there under Andræmon, son of Codrus. In contrast, Strabo says it was founded as a colony by Andropompus, and previously bore the name Artis. A member of the Ionian League, the city's commerce flourished in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, during which time it issued a civic coinage in silver and bronze. Particularly notable are these tetradrachms issued in the mid-2nd century. Struck on the Attic standard, their types were influenced by the 'New Style' Athenian issues, with a similar head of Athena on the obverse, and a reverse type of civic symbols enclosed within a wreath. As these tetradrachms were typically used in international trade, they were a source of civic pride, and this is reflected in the high quality of engraving found on these coins, which is among the finest of the middle Hellenistic period.

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.

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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