Catalog
| Issuer | Byzantion (Thrace) |
|---|---|
| Year | 150 BC - 120 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Tetradrachm (4) |
| Currency | Attic drachm |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 16.72 g |
| Diameter | 34 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Marinescu#498 |
| Obverse description | Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | Athena Nikephoros seated left, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; monogram to inner left, BY on throne, ornamented trident in exergue. |
| Reverse script | Greek |
| Reverse lettering |
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ ΒΥ |
| Edge | |
| Mint | Byzantion, modern-day Istanbul, Turkey |
| Mintage | ND (150 BC - 120 BC) |
| Numisquare ID | 1991690363 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This tetradrachm, issued by Byzantion between 150 BC and 120 BC, represents a significant continuation of a widely trusted coinage type long after the death of Lysimachus (d. 281 BC). Byzantion, a crucial Thracian city-state, utilized this established design for its economic stability and international trade. The enduring popularity of Lysimachus's coinage, featuring the deified Alexander, underscores its role as a recognized standard in the Hellenistic world, facilitating commerce across diverse regions.
Artistry: While the specific engraver remains anonymous, the coin adheres to the established Hellenistic artistic tradition of the Lysimachean type. The obverse masterfully depicts the idealized, diademed head of Alexander the Great, deified with the horn of Ammon, a powerful symbol of his divine lineage. The reverse features Athena Nikephoros, enthroned, holding a Nike figure and resting on a shield, with a spear nearby. The style is generally competent, reflecting the period's standard, though sometimes exhibiting variations from the original Lysimachean issues.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this coin weighs 16.72 grams and measures 34 millimeters, consistent with tetradrachm standards. Key high-points for wear assessment include Alexander's hair and diadem on the obverse, and Athena's head, the Nike she holds, and her left knee on the reverse. Technical strike quality can vary; while often well-centered, minor flan imperfections or areas of weak strike, particularly on the periphery or finer details, are not uncommon for these large Hellenistic issues. This example is referenced as Marinescu#498.