Description
Thrace. Kingdom of Thrace. Lysimachos, 323-281 BC. AR-Tetradrachm (30 mm, 17.03 g, 7h). Amphipolis mint, struck circa 288/7-282/1 BC.
Obverse: Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, wearing royal diadem and the horn of Ammon //
Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ΛYΣIMAXOY. Athena Nikephoros, wearing long chiton, peplos and helmet, seated left on throne, arm resting on shield, holding crowning Nike, transverse spear in background; monograms to outer left and outer right.
Müller 548; Thompson 199; HGC 3.2, 1750l.
An excellent portrait of Alexander the Great of fine stile, struck in high relief. Beautiful old cabinet tone, a few minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.
Provenance Details
Ex Leu Auction 65, 21 May 1996, Lot 127.
Comment
Lysimachus was one of Alexander's most effective successors. He first received the small and endangered province of Thrace as his satrapy. However, he steadily and successfully expanded his sphere of influence. He later also controlled Macedonia and a large part of Asia Minor.
Like Alexander's other successors, Lysimachus continued to use Alexander's coin types at the beginning of his reign. He later introduced his own coin type. He made some modifications to the old coin type but remained very subtle. He continued to use Alexander's portrait on the obverse, though now depicted as a god, wearing the ram's horn of the Greek-Egyptian deity Ammon. This is one of the first genuine portraits to appear on coins.
On the reverse, he chose his patron goddess Athena. He also called himself King Lysimachus for the first time on a coin. The depicted Nike crowns the name of Lysimachus to honour him and his victories. The lion on the shield at Athena's side refers to Lysimachus' famous heroic act of killing a lion with his bare hands. Lysimachus thus creates a link to Alexander and his power and courage.
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