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Auction: 23007 - Ancient Coins Including the 'Kyrios' Collection of Greek Coins and featuring the 'Ostorius' Collection of Roman Gold
Lot: 63

The 'Kyrios' Collection | Kingdom of Macedon, Antigonos III Doson (229-221 BC), AR Tetradrachm, head of Poseidon right, wreathed with marine plant, rev. BASILEOS ANTIGONOY on side of prow of war galley upon which sits Apollo holding out bow, monogram below (SNG Ashmolean 3264; SNG Alpha Bank 1046), very well centred, softening at higher points, very fine

PROVENANCE

Spink Numismatic Circular, August 2008, GK2541, 'good very fine' - £1,250 [SPK4292/1]

Purchased by Spink from M. Tursi, June 2006

Antigonos Doson was really a placeholder king between the death of Demetrius II and the succession of his 9-year-old son, the future Phillip V of the Roman-Macedonian wars fame. Despite the brevity of his reign, he played a crucial role not only in maintaining the stability of Macedon, but also curbing Spartan hopes of a resurgence in the Peloponnese. This strikingly maritime themed coin with its unusual obverse and reverse types commemorates one of his naval victories most likely in his Carian campaign, perhaps at the obscure battle of Andros.

The portrait of Poseidon on the obverse type has enabled scholars to attribute and date of their famous Bronze Head in the Museum of Fine Art, Houston. The similarities in features and expression likely indicate that the sculpture was produced in the 220s BC. The stunning naturalism of both portraits - the coin and the sculpture - represent of the high points of naturalistic Hellenistic portraiture.


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Sold for
£2,100

Starting price
£950