THRACO-MACEDONIAN REGION. Uncertain. Circa 500-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 17 mm, 8.60 g). Four flowers and a human head to right arrayed around central pellet within circle of dots; in fields, four (?) pellets. Rev. Stellate pattern in incuse square. SNG ANS 730 var. (three flowers and with a bearded head to left, as 'Stageira'). Svoronos pl. XVI, 47 var. (human head to left, as 'Pieria in Pangaion') = Tsintsifos, Perix Pangaion Epeiros, p. 87, 10 (as 'Samioi in Derronike'). Extremely rare and interesting. Beautifully toned and of enchanting late archaic style. Test cut and scuff on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.


The exact origin of this piece and related coins (cf. SNG ANS 729-732, which must be slightly earlier) is still uncertain. They were traditionally attributed to Aristotle's native polis of Stageira, but this has been called into question by several authors. It seems clear, however, that they come from the Thraco-Macedonian Region, and the 'roses' may in fact be Akanthos flowers. In any case, the whole issue is of extreme rarity today, indicating a very small output from a minor mint.