Classical Numismatic Group, LLC - Electronic Auction 529 . 62
KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III 'the Great'. 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.12 g, 3h). Tarsos mint, "officina B". Struck under Balakros or Menes, circa 333-327 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; B below throne. Price 3000; Newell, Tarsos, Series I, Second Group, 4, obv. die XV. Lightly toned, slightly off center, a couple of light scratches and small zig-zag pattern in field on reverse. Near VF. The zig-zag pattern cut into the field on the reverse of this coin is known on other examples (see Price 3680a, 3723, 3976d, P182b). In each instance, the pattern is placed in the left field, usually above the arm. The meaning of the pattern is uncertain, but the similarity of its composition across these issues suggests that it was placed on the coins in a deliberate attempt to mark them in a recognized manner. As these all occur on issues from eastern mints, the source for the mark probably is in that region.