KINGS OF THRACE. Lysimachos, 305-281 BC. Drachm (Silver, 21 mm, 4.10 g, 12 h), Herakleia Pontika, circa 175-150. Diademed head of Alexander the Great to right with horn of Ammon over his ear. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena seated left, holding Nike, crowning the king's name, in her right hand and leaning with her left arm on shield decorated with gorgoneion; transverse spear in background; in inner left field, upright club; in exergue, two monograms. Cf. C. Boehringer, Hellenistischer Münzschatz aus Trapezunt, in: SNR 54 (1975), p. 39, 3 (tetradrachm). HGC 7, -. Müller -. SNG Copenhagen -. Apparently unpublished in this denomination, a nicely toned and highly interesting piece. Light scratches and thin flan crack and with a flan fault on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.


Especially in the Thraco-Pontic region, the heartland of Lysimachus’ rule, poleis continued to strike not only Alexandrine coinage but also Lysimachean issues for international use. Such later issues were, however, almost entirely confined to tetradrachms; an unpublished drachm as late as the present piece from Herakleia Pontika is highly exceptional.