Description
Macedon. Akanthos. Tetradrachm ca. 480-420 BC. Silver 17.08 g.; 30.1 mm.
Obverse: Lion right, attacking bull crouching left, biting into its hindquarter, fish (tuna ?) left in exergue // Reverse: Legend in shallow incuse around quadripartite square in relief. Reverse caption: AKA-N-ΘIO-N
HGC: 3.1-385.
Attic standard. Rare. Slight die shift. Very fine specimen, struck on a wide flan, showing the entire beaded circle on the obverse and almost the entire square on the reverse. Cleaning.
NGC graded AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 3/5 Fine Style
Provenance Details
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 75, 23 May 2007, lot 121.
Comment
We note a strong similarity with the observe die D92 (Desneux 92, see Roma Numismatics 28, 222), whether it be the shape of the lion's tail or the way the lion is mounted on the bull. A few notable differences are visible: the distance between the bull's front legs/knees and the length of the bull's left foreleg, which is slightly longer and closer to its abdomen; its ear, lower and less close to the lion's thigh, whose right foreleg is slightly more advanced on the bull's hind thigh. It is possible that this observe die is linked to D92 by a re-engraving after a period of use (note the rather rough fish, and the bull's head). In any case, it seems that the same hand engraved both observe.
Desneux -- (see Desneux 95-96 and 99 (unlisted dies)); AMNG III/2, 21; SNG ANS --; HGC 3.1, 385; Roma Numismatics 30, 136 (same obverse (and reverse?) die).
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