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Dramatic Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques:Regional Art:Ancient World:Greek: Pre AD 1000: Item # 704246
Apolonia Ancient Art 290 Fillmore St. #D Denver, CO. 80206 303-321-7351 gallery Guest Book $875.00 |
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| This silver teradrachm (meaning four drachms) is in extremely fine condition and was minted circa 190 B.C. in ancient Mesembria, which was located on the Black Sea coast near modern Nessebur, Bulgaria. Mesembria was an important Greek trading center and produced many stunning gold and silver objects for the Thracian market in the 4th-2nd century B.C. The Greek artists located at this site produced some of the finest Greek objects of art, many of which are in the Archaeological Museum in Sofia. The silver coin offered here shows the portrait of Alexander the Great with a lion's skin headdress, which represents the guise of Herakles. The reverse of this coin shows a seated Zeus holding an eagle, and in front, is a Corinthian helmet symbol. Seen below the seated Zeus, is the name Dioskouridas, who may have been the magistrate for this issue and/or the artist who produced the dies. What is known is that the portrait of Alexander the Great, as seen on the obverse of this coin, is the last great realistic Hellenistic portriat seen on the Alexander type series. This coin was minted a full 130 years after the death of Alexander, such was the impact of this king on the Hellenistic Greek world. This important coin type was identified by Martin Price in "The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus", British Museum Catalog, 1991, no. 1004. Price states that the portrait seen on the Diouskouridas types are "dramatic issues with very fine portraits and is an issue of the 190's B.C." The realistic portrait seen here is also one of the finest, if not the finest, for any Greek issue for the period. The Corinthian helmet symbol, seen on the reverse, may also indicate that this issue was made to pay Thracian mercenaries and alludes to the Thracian warrior cult as well. This coin weighs 16.7 grams, is better centered than most examples, and has an artistic style that is superior for the period. A great coin that is difficult to find in this style and condition, and as such, is a scarce coin. Ex: Spink and Son, London. Ex: Private English collection. I certify that this coin is authentic as to date, culture, and condition: | ||
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