Lot 2161

Description

Macedon, Kingdom of, Alexander III, (336-323 B.C.), silver drachm, (4.27 g), Lampsakos Mint, struck under Kalas or Demarchos, issued 328/5-323 B.C., obv. head of Herakles to right wearing lion skin, rev. Zeus Aetophoros seated on throne to left, eagle in outstretched hand, caduceus in left field, NA (or AN) monogram below throne, **[AL]EXANDRO[U]* to right, (cf.S.6730, Price 1343 corr (monogram not noted), ADM II 4 corr [same dies]). Good very fine - nearly extremely fine and extremely rare, only two known.

Ex Anthony "Tony" Taylor Collection.^CNG Auction 498, lot 45. From the BRN Collection. Previously Classical Numismatic Group 81 (20 May 2009), lot 332.^This extreme rarity is one of only two known, the other is in the ANS (cited by Price & ADM) [an example cited in CoinArchives is misattributed].^^This coin is from the earliest issue of Alexander type coinage at Lampsakos, which was composed of both tetradrachms and drachms. All of these coins have the caduceus symbol, and some have the additional monogram below the throne, as here. Although Price and ADM list the drachm denomination as only having the caduceus, this coin proves this to be incorrect. Both Price and ADM cite the ANS specimen (from the Sinan Pasha hoard), on which on the caduceus is visible. However, the present coin, struck from the same dies, proves that the ANS coin must also have this monogram, but that it is off the flan. Thus, this drachm issue corresponds to the tetradrachms of Price 1344, rather than Price 1342. This particular drachm issue is very rare, with the ANS/Sinan Pasha coin being the only published example (none were found in the 1993 Near East hoard, nor the 1964 Asia Minor hoard). (per CNG)^