Lot 3606

Description

Thrace, Kingdom of, Lysimachos, (323-281 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.23 g), Pella mint, issued 286-281 B.C., obv. head of deified Alexander to right, with diadem and horn of Ammon, within dotted circle, rev. Athena Nikephoros enthroned to left, supporting Nike, spear behind, monogram on inner left, monogram in exergue **LR* within **W*, to right **BASILEWS* downwards, to left **LUSIMACOU* downwards, (cf.S.6814, cf.Thompson 251 (corrected), Meydancikkale -; Mektepini -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG Berry -; SNG Delepierre -; Muller -, HGC 3.2. 1750p). Lightly toned, nearly extremely fine and very rare.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Auction Sale XIII, January 5-6, 2010 (lot 1076) with ticket.
By 285 BC, Pyrrhos' rule over the western portion of Macedon had become onerous to the population, and they called on Lysimachos for help. Lysimachos, a long time friend of the Macedonians, easily occupied the area and incorporated it into his growing kingdom. The historical mint in this region, Pella, was quickly converted to produce Lysimachos type coinage, and subsequently produced a significantly large output of both staters and tetradrachms. It remained a loyal subject until Lysimachos' death.