Perfect Example Of The Type
277. Thrace, Koson AV Stater. Dacian mint, circa 44-43 BC. Roman consul accompanied by two lictors, monogram to left, ΚΟΣΩΝ in exergue / Eagle standing left on sceptre, holding wreath. BMC Thrace 1; RPC I 1701. 8.38g, 22mm, 11h. Fleur De Coin.
1,000
Although a common type, perfect examples such as this are very scarce. Struck on an extraordinarily large flan.
MOESIA
278. Moesia, Istros AR Drachm. Circa 4th Century BC. Facing male heads, the left inverted / Sea-eagle left, grasping dolphin with talons; IΣTPIH above, monogram below. AMNG I/1 421; SNG BM Black Sea 253; SNG Stancomb 149; SNG Copenhagen -. 5.01g, 18mm, 12h. Fleur De Coin. A beautifully toned and finely detailed example of the type.
750
TROAS
279. Islands off Troas, Tenedos AR Tetradrachm. Circa 100-70 BC. Janiform head composed of a laureate and bearded head of Zeus to left and a diademed head of Hera to right / ΤΕΝΕΔΙΩΝ, Double axe; monogram of ΠΑ and bunch of grapes below left; caps of the Dioscouri below right; all within laurel wreath. Callataÿ, Tenedos 82. 16.89g, 32mm, 11h. Very Rare. Good Very Fine. Somewhat corroded, but all major details still present.
3,000
The early coinage of Tenedos bore janiform heads similar to the one here, but on those the male head was bare and without a laurel wreath. Those heads portrayed two characters from a local foundation legend: Tenes and, probably, his young step-mother and lover, Philonome. However, even in ancient times the combination of the janiform, male/female head and the double axe on the reverse gave rise to tales of the punishment for adultery, and by the end of the 5th century the head on the coins of Tenedos was transformed into one of Zeus and Hera. After a long break when the only silver coins struck were posthumous Lysimachos tetradrachms, Tenedos resumed minting silver during the 1st century BC with a series of tetradrachms and drachms, like the present example.
74