Stater In the name of Lysimachus

Đơn vị phát hành Byzantion (Thrace)
Năm 150 BC - 120 BC
Loại Standard circulation coin
Mệnh giá Gold Stater (20)
Tiền tệ Attic drachm
Chất liệu Gold
Trọng lượng 8.5 g
Đường kính 20 mm
Độ dày
Hình dạng Round (irregular)
Kỹ thuật Hammered
Hướng Variable alignment ↺
Nghệ nhân khắc
Lưu hành đến
Tài liệu tham khảo Marinescu#509
Mô tả mặt trước Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon.
Chữ viết mặt trước
Chữ khắc mặt trước
Mô tả mặt sau Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; monogram to inner left, ΒΥ below throne, ornate trident in exergue
Chữ viết mặt sau Greek
Chữ khắc mặt sau ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ
ΒΥ
Cạnh
Xưởng đúc Byzantion, modern-day Istanbul, Turkey
Số lượng đúc ND (150 BC - 120 BC)
ID Numisquare 2865748515
Thông tin bổ sung

Historical Context: This gold stater, struck by Byzantion between 150 and 120 BC, is a posthumous issue bearing the types of Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great's diadochi. Though Lysimachus died in 281 BC, his coinage standard and iconic designs remained widely accepted in the Hellenistic world. Byzantion, a crucial trade hub on the Bosporus, issued these staters to facilitate international commerce, leveraging the established trust in Lysimachus's name for economic stability and prestige during a period of shifting regional powers.

Artistry: The coin's design adheres closely to the original Lysimachean prototypes, reflecting the Hellenistic artistic tradition. The obverse features a masterful portrait of the deified Alexander the Great, distinguished by the ram's horn of Ammon, symbolizing his divine lineage. The reverse depicts Athena enthroned, holding a small Nike and a spear, with a shield resting against her throne. While the engraver remains anonymous, the stylistic execution aims for a classical ideal, characterized by refined details and a balanced composition, typical of major Hellenistic mints.

Technical/Grading: Struck in 8.5 grams of gold with a 20 mm diameter, this stater’s high-points include the intricate curls of Alexander's hair, his facial features, and the ram's horn. On the reverse, key areas for assessment are Athena's helmet crest, drapery folds, the small figure of Nike, and the clarity of the legend and mint marks. A well-struck example will exhibit full detail on these elements, with good centering and minimal die wear, indicative of Byzantion's capable minting operations.

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