Lot 1751

Description

Thrace, Byzantion, silver drachm, (416-357 B.C.), (5.318 grams), obv. bull standing to left on dolphin, **PU*, above, trident below, rev. quadripartite incuse square of 'mill-sail' pattern, the surfaces granulated, (S.1579, BMC 1-8, SNG Cop.475-7, SNG von Post 57). Attractive grey tone from an old collection, Slightly off centred on the reverse, otherwise good very fine and scarce.

The weight of this drachm corresponds to the heavier Persian siglos or drachm standard of about 5.5 grams. This in contrast to those latter issues based of Philip II tetradrachm of 15.3 grams with a drachm of about 3.8 grams. Philip II besieged the city in 340-339 B.C.