MACEDON. Akanthos. Circa 480-470 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26 mm, 16.79 g, 12 h). Lion to right, attacking a bull collapsing to left with head raised to right; above, pellet-in-annulet; in exergue, stylized akanthos flower. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square, the raised interior compartments granulated. AMNG III/2, 4. BMC 3. Boston MFA 520. HGC 3.1, 383. Desneux - (D77/-, unlisted reverse die). SNG ANS 9. SNG Ashmolean 2202. Lightly toned and boldly struck, a perfectly centered example of vigorous late Archaic style. Extremely fine.



Akanthos stood on the eastern shore of Chalkidike, close to the narrowest point of the Athos peninsula. According to tradition it was founded by settlers from Andros in 655 BC. Its wealth derived not only from the export of agricultural produce and timber from the nearby forests, but also from silver mined in the Thraco-Macedonian hinterland. The city’s coinage was substantial, and its Archaic and Classical tetradrachms have been found as far afield as Sicily, Egypt, and Persia - evidence that many were exported as coined bullion rather than serving as local currency.