THRACE. Abdera. Circa 395-360 BC. Tetrobol (Silver, 15 mm, 3.00 g, 3 h), Molpagores, magistrate. Griffin seated to left, with open wings and both forelegs raised. Rev. ΜOΛ-ΠΑ-ΓΟΡ-ΕΩ Head of Dionysos to right, wearing wreath of ivy and fruit, within linear square; all within shallow incuse. May, Abdera, 417 (A289/P339) = Jameson 2007 (this coin). Apparently unique. A wonderful piece, beautifully toned and with an impressive pedigree. Nearly extremely fine.



This coin is unique in giving the magistrate’s name in the genitive rather than in the nominative, as on all other coins of Molpagores. The genitive ending in -εω is Ionic and may hint at the Ionian origin of the Abderitan settlers, whose mother city was Teos.