Lot 3427

Description

Paeonia, Kingdom of, Lykkeios, (c.356-335 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (12.26 gm), obv. laureate head of Zeus to right, dotted border, rev. Hercules to left strangling the Nemean lion to right, around **LUK K EIOU, behind bow and quiver, (S.1518, SNG ANS 1019, Gaebler 8, Paeonian Hoard 63 same obverse die). Obverse slightly off centre, otherwise attractive good fine/good very fine and a rare type.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 61 (Lot 2610) and Noble Numismatics Auction Sale 72 (lot 3290). The obverse die shows signs of reworking, it must have been the only obverse die used for this issue. A curious feature is the raised square that appears on the laurel wreath of Zeus although rather worn on this coin. It looks less like a deliberate part of the design than the tip of a punch that (accidently) marred the die. The reverse die was not found in the Paeonian hoard.