KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos. 305-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 17.12 g, 1h). Pella mint. Struck circa 288/7-282/1 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; HP monogram to inner left, ornament on throne. Thompson 247 var. (no ornament noted); Müller –; HGC 3, 1750l. Deep cabinet tone, very minor die shift on obverse, small scuff on edge. EF. Extremely rare with ornament.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 99 (13 May 2015), lot 57; Sotheby’s (20 April 1970), lot 115.
Thompson notes (p. 176, n. 1) that this particular ornament on the throne is commonly seen on coins of Magnesia, but it also occurs on rare issues of Mytilene and Ephesos. Unbeknownst to Thompson, however, it appears to also occur on rare issues of Pella (cf. Bourgey, March 1975, lot 30 [a variety of Thompson 248], CNG 81, lot 253 [a variety of Thompson 250], and Knobloch FPL 21, no. 67 [a variety of Thompson 252]).
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