20
|
Ancient Greek
I
NCREDIBLE
A
LEXANDER
III T
ETRADRACHM
INSCRIBED WITH
THE NAME OF
"N
IKOKLES
"
Enlargement
3267
Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander III the Great. Silver Tetradrachm (17.13 g), 336-323 BC.
Paphos, ca. 322/1 BC. Head of Herak-
les right, wearing lion's skin headdress;
in tiny letters amongst the tufts of hair along the front rim of the lion's skin;
NIKOK
EOY
.
Reverse:
[
] to left of scepter,
[
] in right field, Zeus seated left, holding eagle and scepter; in left field,
A
monogram; below
throne, grain ear. Price 3122; May 12-4. Carefully extended dies, boldly struck with incredible detail including the name of the Paphos king.
Nearly Mint State
.
This tetradrachm is part of a discrete issue that clandestinely bears the name NIKOK
EOY
on the obverse. As the name is found on seven
different dies of varying style, it cannot be the name of the artist. Thus, the inescapable conclusion is that it is the name of the king of
Paphos, Nikokles. Nikokles is known to have subsequently struck tetradrachms in his own name, so exactly why he was so careful to hide his
name on these coins is not known. According to Price, the issue was probably struck at the time he was allied with Ptolemy I in his war
against the Cypriot cities of Kition and Marion. Later, ca. 310/9 BC after Ptolemy had gained control of the entire island, Nikokles intrigued
with Antigonos Monopthalmos, but Ptolemy sent a force against him under Argaios and Kallikrates. The generals surrounded the palace and
ordered Nikokles to commit suicide, which he did along with the rest of his family including his wife, daughters and two brothers.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................... $5,000 - 7,000
3268
Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander III the Great. Silver
Tetradrachm (17.2 g), 336-323 BC.
Amphipolis, ca. 322-320
BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse:
, Zeus seated left, holding
eagle and scepter; in left field, Macedonian helmet. Price 113;
Troxell issue H3. A stunning example, lustrous with hints of del-
icate rose toning.
Nearly Mint State
.
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,500 - 2,000
3269
Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander III the Great. Silver
Tetradrachm (17.31 g), 336-323 BC.
Pella, ca. 317/6-315/4
BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse:
, Zeus seated left, holding eagle and
scepter; in left field, Boiotian shield; below throne, coiled ser-
pent left. Price 249; Moore 219-49. Attractive light toning, a
beautiful example.
Superb Extremely Fine
.
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,500 - 2,000
