KINGS OF THRACE. Lysimachos, as satrap, 323-305 BC. Tetrobol (Silver, 16 mm, 2.30 g, 12 h), Amphipolis, circa 317/5-305. Head of Apollo to right, wearing taenia. Rev. Λ-Υ Youth on horseback galloping to right; below horse, Λ[Υ], forepart of a lion right and grain ear. CNG E-Auction 480 (2020), 102 (same dies). Price -. Thompson -. Extremely rare and of great historical interest. Somewhat porous and with minor marks, otherwise, good very fine.


This reverse die initially carried the name of Philip III of Macedon above the horse, with Lysimachos' name appearing below, remnants of which are still faintly visible. At some point, the die was recut, removing Philip's name and replacing it with Lysimachos' initials, which were in turn partly erased below the horse. The most likely trigger for this would have been the execution of Philip III in 317 BC by Olympias. This removed any necessity of naming the Argead dynasty, which would eventually cease to exist with the murder of Alexander IV and Herakles in 310 and 309, respectively.