Ancient Gold

Lot 1740       Ancient Gold

Estimate $6,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $6,000

THRACE, Kingdom of, Lysimachos, (323-281 B.C.), gold stater, (8.5 grams), Alexandria Troas mint, after 281 B.C., obv. head of Alexander to right, with diadem and horn of Ammon, rev. Athena enthroned to left, supporting Nike, spear behind, monogram before AE (A on side), to right **[B]ASILEWS*, to left **LUSIMAXOU*, (cf.S.6813, cf.M.478, Thompson -, other examples known in Hermitage, St. Petersburg, another from the same dies as the Grand Duke Michailowitch collection and a further example known from the Newell collection). Minor abrasion on Athena's head to edge, otherwise well centred, extremely fine and very rare.

This coin's obverse is illustrated in advertisements in Celator, September 1995 (p.7) and October 1995 (p.9). Photocopies from Celator as well as photos of all the other known examples are included in this lot. This coin comes from dies of the finest Helenistic style. The style, fabric and similar monograms has suggested that is could be an issue shortly after the death of Lysimachos struck at Alexandria Troas mint. Carmen Arnold-Biucchi Curator of Greek Coins at the American Numismatic Society, supplied photographs of all the other known examples cited above.