Lot 2497

Description

Macedon, Perdikkas II, (451-413 B.C.), silver light tetrobol, 13mm, (1.99 g), Aigai mint, struck c.415/4-414/3 B.C., obv. horse prancing right, rev. **P-E-RDI-K* around, with a crested helmet right in double linear square within shallow incuse square, (S.1488, Raymond Group IV, Series 4, 175 (A81/LP65), AMNG III/2, 2, SNG ANS -; SNG Alpha Bank 104-105, McClean 3288 (same dies), HGC 3, 786 [R2]). Very fine, a couple of light marks on reverse, rare with long form of name.

Ex Dr L.J. Sherwin Collection, previously from CNG March 28, 2007, eSale 161 (lot 24).
This tetrobol is from the last issue of the reign of Perdikkas II, which was significant for a number of reasons. For one, it occurred after an apparent cessation of royal mint activity of about ten years, from 425-415 BC. While the reason for the cessation is unknown, Raymond believes this final issue was struck when Perdikkas was forced to assist the Athenians in their attempt to recapture Amphipolis. An indication of the series' special character, in contrast to Perdikkas' other series, is its brevity. With only four known obverse and three reverse dies, it was an unusually limited series struck over a short period. Also, while it reemployed the same conventional Macedonian types as on the earlier light tetrobols, the style here is more refined, with the horse more like those displayed on the Parthenon in Athens rather than in the fields of Macedon. Moreover, while the initial letter of Perdikkas' name is shown on a number of his other emissions, the coins of this series used as much of his name as the space allowed.