Lot 3439

Description

Thrace, Kingdom of, Lysimachos, (323-281 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.904 grams), Ephesos mint, issued 294-287 B.C., obv. head of Alexander to right, with diadem and horn of Ammon, rev. Athena enthroned to left, supporting Nike, spear behind, complex monogram on throne, bee in inner left to left, to right **BASILEWS*, to left **LUSIMAXOU*, (cf.S.6814, Thompson 167, M.428). With full flan, toned, with light scratches on the reverse, otherwise nearly very fine and scarce.

In 295 BC, Ephesos was captured by Lysimachos, who renamed the city Arsinoeia, in honour of his wife. He also enlarged Ephesos' population in 294 BC, primarily with the inhabitants of Kolophon and Lebedos, many of whose citizens were displaced following their rebellions against Lysmachos. Ephesos was a major mint for Lysimachos in Asia Minor from 295-287 BC, and primarily produced drachms.