THRACE. Maroneia. Circa 386/5-348/7 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 11.40 g, 12 h), Hikesios, magistrate. Bridled horse springing to left, with trailing rein. Rev. EΠI IKE-ΣΙΟ around linear square containing grape vine with four bunches of grapes, leaves and tendrils; in field to left, kerykeion; all within shallow incuse square. HGC 3.2, 1533. Schönert-Geiss 420 (V7/R11). West 91 (same dies). Very rare. A lustrous and sharply struck example with a wonderful, very naturalistic depiction of a horse. Very minor marks and faint scratches, otherwise, good extremely fine.

Maroneia was one of many Greek apoikiai founded along the Thracian coast in the 7th century BC to gain access to the resource-rich Thracian hinterland. The Chian colonists chose the location of their new settlement wisely: it controlled its own silver mines, boasted a fine harbor, and became particularly renowned for its wine. Grown on the southern slopes of the Rhodope Mountains, Maroneian wine was celebrated throughout antiquity for its exceptional quality. Another important source of income was horse breeding in the fertile coastal plain - an economic activity reflected in the city's Classical coinage, which features horses alongside grapevines. Like many of its neighbors, Maroneia joined the Delian League in the 5th century BC, and its growing prosperity is documented in the League’s tribute lists. In 454 BC, the city paid an annual contribution of 1.5 talents (9,000 drachms), a sum that doubled to 3 talents (18,000 drachms) by 437 BC. Remarkably, in 425/4 BC, during the Peloponnesian War, Maroneia’s tribute surged to 21 talents - a staggering 126,000 drachms, or 31,500 tetradrachms!