Lot 2154

Description

Bithynia, Calchedon, silver drachm, (c.235-220 B.C.), (4.04 grams), countermarked on drachm of Alexander III (336-323 B.C.), Lampsacus mint, obv. head of Apollo with K before to right in circular die, on head of Herakles with lion skin to right, rev. Zeus seated to left, but almost flat, (cf.S.6730, Price 1427, cmk. Thompson, ANSMN VI, No.79). Hoist coin very worn, countermark fine and extremely rare.

The 'Buyukcekmece' Hoard had a number of countermarked coins including 6 examples with this countermark, (ANSMN Vol.VI p.20). The countermark is noted on tetradrachms of Alexander III (5 coins) and a similar drachm to this example. Margaret Thompson (1954) in this paper assigns the countermark to Calchedon and that hoard she believes was probably buried c.220 B.C.