Description

KINGS of THRACE, Macedonian. Lysimachos, 305–281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29.5mm, 17.01 g, 6h). Uncertain mint. Struck 3rd century BC.

Obverse: Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon.
Reverse: Athena Nikephoros seated left, arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; no control marks.

Thompson –; Müller –; cf. HGC 3, 1750 (for type); Müller 10 (1973), lot 22 (same dies).

Toned, VF.

History & Context: Alexander made a god

Lysimachos served as one of Alexander the Great’s bodyguards, and after Alexander’s death in 323 BC he took Thrace as his share of the empire, proclaiming himself king around 306/305 BC. His silver tetradrachms carry one of the most celebrated portraits in ancient art: the dead Alexander as a god, wearing the curling ram’s horn of Zeus-Ammon. The design was so trusted that mints kept striking it long after Lysimachos fell at the Battle of Corupedium in 281 BC, which is why this example was struck later in the 3rd century BC at an uncertain mint.