MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 430-390 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 14.30 g, 4h). Thraco-Macedonian standard. Alexios, magistrate. Good VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 101. Estimated: $ 2 000

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 3 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 430-390 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 14.30 g, 4h). Thraco-Macedonian standard. Alexios, magistrate. Lion right, on top and biting into the hindquarter of a bull crouching left, head raised; AΛEΞIOΣ in exergue / AKA-N-ΘIO-N in shallow incuse around quadripartite square, the quarters raised and granulated. Desneux 150 (D140/R135); HGC 3, 391; Robinson & Clement p. 186, 2a (same dies); Weber 1881 (same dies). Toned, hairlines, some weakness to strike on obverse. Good VF.

Akanthos was founded on the easternmost “finger” of the Chalcidice in the seventh century BC. Huge silver deposits were discovered in close proximity during the sixth century BC, leading to Akanthos becoming a prolific mint, with its coinage circulating widely in northern and mainland Greece. Of the Archaic Greek coinages, the imagery of Akanthos is one of the most influential, depicting a lion attacking a bull. Lions still prowled the hinterlands of Thrace and Macedon in this era. Herodotus recounts an episode in The Histories when the baggage camels of the army of the Persian King Xerxes was set upon by lions during its march from Asia Minor into Greece proper (Herodotus 7.125-126).

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session One – Lot 1-301 will be held Tuesday morning, 13 January 2026 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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