Lot 2103

Description

Paeonia, Kingdom of, Lykkeios, (c.356-335 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (13.06 grams), obv. laureate head of Apollo to right, dotted border, rev. Hercules to left strangling the Nemean lion to right, around **LUKK [EIOU], behind bow and quiver, (S.1517, Paeonian Hoard 68 similar dies). Obverse off centre, otherwise nearly extremely fine and a rare type.

The Sotheby sale of the Paeonian hoard (London, 16th April, 1969, lot 62-72), had only eleven examples of this ruler. Few facts are known about this ruler. It is known that in 359 B.C., Philip II as regent bought off the Paeonians to prevent them over-running Macedonia and the next year Philip captured the Paeonians, but in 356 B.C. Lykkeios allied with the king of Western Thrace and the king of Illyria achieved some independence from Philip. All coins were struck on a debased graeco-asiatic standard and rare.