| Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 552 | Auction date: 13 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 64 Price realized: 100 USD (Approx. 93 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: ATTICA, Athens. 87/6 BC. Æ Chalkous (18.5mm, 8.34 g, 12h). Struck under Mithradates VI of Pontos and Aristion, Tyrant of Athens. Helmeted head of Athena right / Zeus striding right, preparing to cast thunderbolt; to right, star within two crescents. Kroll 97; Callataÿ pl. LIII, J–K; HGC 4, 1710. Dark green-brown surfaces, earthen deposits. VF. By 88 BC, Mithradates IV had conquered much of Asia Minor and had headed west towards Rome. He meticulously planned and carried out a massacre over 80,000 Italians and Romans then advanced towards Greece. Archelaus was sent to Greece where he established Aristion as tyrant in Athens. Fearing further genocide, the Romans quickly declared war. In 87 BC, the proconsul Sulla began his siege of Athens. The Athenians supported Mithradates but Sulla had acquired the backing of the majority of the Peolopponesian and southern Greeek cities, most importantly, Thebes. The siege finally came to a close with Aristion's capture and execution on 1 March 86 BC. Estimate: 100 USD |  |
