Lot 879

Description

Macedon, Kingdom of, Perseus, (179-168 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (16.5 grams), obv. laureate bearded head of Perseus to right, rev. eagle, wings open standing on thunderbolt, **BASI LEWS* above, **PER SEWS* below, monogram **QX above, MI to right of eagle, **F between legs, all within a oak-wreath beneath which is a plow, (S.6804, SNG Cop. 1267, A.Manroth 8 [ZfN, 1928]). Has been mounted, nearly very fine and very scarce.

The weight reduction to 15.5 grams from 17 grams was made in 171 B.C. when the final conflict with Rome took place. This issue of the heavy weight was made prior to that conflict.