Catalog
| Issuer | Akanthos (Macedon) |
|---|---|
| Year | 430 BC - 390 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Tetradrachm (4) |
| Currency | Phoenician drachm |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 14.22 g |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered, Incuse |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Desneux#131 |
| Obverse description | Lion to right with dangling tail, attacking bull, collapsing to left with head raised. In exergue, magistrate`s name. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
| Obverse lettering | ΝΙ |
| Reverse description | ΑΚΑ-Ν-ΘΙΟ-Ν in shallow incuse square around quadripartite square with stippled quarters. |
| Reverse script | Greek |
| Reverse lettering |
ΑΚΑΝΘΙΟΝ (Translation: Akanthos) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (430 BC - 390 BC) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1511839540 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This silver tetradrachm was issued by Akanthos, a significant Chalcidian city in Macedon, from 430 BC to 390 BC. This era, encompassing the Peloponnesian War and its aftermath, saw Akanthos leverage its strategic location on the Athos peninsula and access to vital resources. This civic coinage underscores the city's economic prosperity and independence amidst shifting regional powers, including Athens, Sparta, and Olynthos, preceding full Macedonian influence. No specific ruler is associated with these issues.
Artistry: The coin exemplifies the robust aesthetic of the Early to High Classical Greek artistic period. While no specific engraver is known, the design is distinctly Akanthian. The obverse powerfully depicts a lion attacking a bull, a dynamic and visceral scene often interpreted as a symbol of strength or natural power. This dramatic iconography is rendered with considerable skill, showcasing detailed musculature. The reverse features a quadripartite incuse square, typically containing the city's ethnic, AKANΘION, and sometimes a small symbol.
Technical/Grading: Struck on the Attic standard, this 14.22 gram, 25 mm tetradrachm typically exhibits strong strike quality. Key high-points for evaluation include the lion's mane and musculature, the bull's head and horns on the obverse, and the clarity of the ethnic legend within the incuse square on the reverse. Well-centered examples with full detail on the animals are highly prized. Minimal die wear and flan imperfections contribute significantly to a higher technical grade for this distinctive Akanthos issue.