THRACE. Ainos. c. 357-342/1 BC
THRACE. Ainos. c. 357-342/1 BC
AR Drachm, 3.49g (17mm, 12h). Head of Hermes facing slightly to right, wearing petasos / AINION Archaic cult image of Hermes standing to left on throne, the left arm of which is supported by a tiny sphinx; to left, grain ear.
Pedigree: From the Kleinkunst Collection, Leu 6, 23 October 2020, 99, from the 'Exceptional Private Collection', Leu 76, 27 October 1999, 77 and ex Kastner 4, 27 November 1973, 24.
References: De Luynes 1763 = May, Ainos, 443 (A270/P322). Cf. Kraay-Hirmer 425
Grade: Lovely toning and high relief. Pitted and slightly rough surfaces. Nonetheless a beautiful issue. Good VF (gk1641)
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This interesting write-up was taken from the Leu 1999 catalog for which the coin sold for 4000 CHF. “This, Ainos’ last issue of autonomous silver before the city, along with the rest of Thrace, was absorbed into the Macedonian kingdom of Philip II in 342, is emblematic of the city’s decline. The Hermes head is still attractive but in place of the vigor and strength of some of the earlier tetradrachm, struck only 20 years earlier, we find a youthful charm. The reverse shows the wooden image of Hermes Perpheraios which, according to Kallimachos, was carved by Epeios, the maker of the Trojan horse. When fishermen from Ainos drew it up in their nets, they consulted an oracle which commanded them to include the god in the city’s pantheon”.