| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 187 | Silver | Auction date: 10 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 24 Price realized: 1,400 EUR (Approx. 1,510 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Kings of Thrace. Ainos. Macedonian. Lysimachos 305-281 BC. Struck circa 305-281 BC Tetradrachm AR 31 mm, 16,79 g Diademed head of deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / BAΣIΛEΩ[Σ] ΛYΣIMAX[OY], Athena Nikephoros seated to left on throne, leaning her left elbow on her shield decorated with lion's head and holding Nike, crowning the king's name, in her right; enthroned cult image before; goat's head before knee to right. Extremely Fine Mueller 116. Lysimachus, born around 361/360 BC in Pella, was a military commander under Alexander the Great and one of his Diadochi. He became King of Thrace in 306/5 BC and later King of Macedonia in 285/4 BC. Lysimachus, a Thessalian by birth, accompanied Alexander on his conquests in Asia, eventually becoming part of the young king's elite guard. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, Lysimachus received the Satrapy of Thrace from Perdiccas, and he expanded his control through campaigns against neighboring threats. In the complex Diadochi Wars, Lysimachus initially maintained neutrality and later allied with Cassander and Ptolemy against Antigonus. His strategic control over Thrace played a crucial role. Lysimachus rose to prominence in the third Diadochi War (316–311 BC), cutting off Antigonus from Europe. Victories in Thrace secured his position, and he founded his capital, Lysimacheia, on the Gallipoli Peninsula. In the fourth Diadochi War (307–301 BC), Lysimachus, along with Cassander and Ptolemy, faced Antigonus. The decisive Battle of Ipsos in 301 BC led to Antigonus' defeat and death. Lysimachus gained control of western Asia Minor. However, his alliance with Seleucus turned into rivalry. He married Arsinoe II, the daughter of Ptolemy, after separating from Amastris. Lysimachus expanded his influence into Macedonia and Ephesus, relocating its population. Internal conflicts and losses in Asia Minor occurred as Bithynian and Pontic rulers asserted independence. Lysimachus faced challenges from the Getae but achieved a lasting peace. Aligning with Pyrrhus, he regained control from Demetrius Poliorcetes in 287 BC. As Lysimachus tried to expand into Macedonia, his daughter's marriage aimed at securing power, but internal conflicts persisted. His growing mistrust led to arbitrary actions, including the murder of his own son, Agathocles. In the sixth Diadochi War, a conflict with Seleucus erupted. Lysimachus faced defeat in the Battle of Corupedium in February 281 BC, leading to his death. Seleucus granted him a royal burial in Lysimacheia. The Seleucids gained control of Asia Minor, while Thrace and Macedonia fell to Ptolemy Keraunos, later succumbing to a Celtic invasion in 279 BC. Starting price: 500 EUR |  |
Match 1:
| Eid Mar Auctions GmbH > Auction 1 | Auction date: 16 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 45 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: Greek Kings of Thrace (Macedon). Lysimachos (323-281 BC.). AR Tetradrachm (27,5mm, 16,7g.) Lampsakos mint, ca. 297-281 BC, Head of deified Alexander right with horn of Ammon. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena Nikephoros seated left, holding Nike in right hand, left elbow resting on shield, spear behind; to left, monogram HP SNG Cop. 1135. Good Very Fine. Estimate: 250 EUR Starting price: 200 EUR |
Match 2:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 193 | Silver | Auction date: 28 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 55 Price realized: Unsold | |
| Lot description: Kings of Pergamon. Pergamon. Philetairos 282-263 BC. Struck circa 269/8-263 BC Tetradrachm AR 30 mm, 16,88 g Diademed head of Seleukos I right / ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ, Athena enthroned left, holding shield, spear cradled in arm, elbow resting on sphinx; ivy leaf to left, bow to outer right; ΠA monogram in exergue. Extremely Fine SC 309.4b. Philetairos, born around 343 BC, was the founder of the Attalid dynasty in Pergamon, Anatolia. His intriguing lineage, possibly Macedonian, included a childhood incident that resulted in his becoming a eunuch. Initially serving under Dokimos, a follower of Antigonos Monophthalmos, Philetairos later aligned with Lysimachos, becoming the custodian of Pergamon and its treasures. His loyalty shifted in 283/282 BC, siding with Seleucus I after the murder of Lysimachos' heir, Agathokles. Pergamon, under Seleucid suzerainty, became a semi-autonomous principality, reflected in its coinage. Philetairos initiated significant building projects in Pergamon, expanding the city and constructing the Demeter Sanctuary. When facing the Galatian threat, he strategically utilized his treasury and supported neighboring cities. In his later years, Philetairos steered Pergamon away from Seleucid influence. With no direct heirs, Philetairos adopted his nephew Eumenes, ensuring a smooth succession. His death in 263 BC marked the end of an era, but his legacy endured through Eumenes I, who continued the Attalid dynasty. Philetairos' impact is evident in Pergamon's cultural and political contributions, commemorated in coinage and structures, symbolizing a remarkable chapter in Hellenistic history. Starting price: 5000 EUR |  |
Match 3:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 203 | Silver | Auction date: 24 March 2024 |
| Lot number: 69 Price realized: 420 EUR (Approx. 456 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Kings of Thrace. Pella. Macedonian. Lysimachos 305-281 BC. Tetradrachm AR 29 mm, 16,96 g Head of the deified Alexander the Great facing right, wearing the horn of Ammon / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena, helmeted, enthroned left, holding Nike, crowning the king's name, in her outstretched right hand and resting her left elbow on a shield decorated with lion's head at her side, behind her rests a spear, monogram of HP to inner left, monogram in exergue. Very Fine Müller 353; SNG Copenhagen 1121. Starting price: 150 EUR |  |
Match 4:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 198 | Silver | Auction date: 25 February 2024 |
| Lot number: 32 Price realized: 4,400 EUR (Approx. 4,757 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Kings of Thrace. Byzantion. Macedonian. Lysimachos 305-281 BC. Stater AV 19 mm, 8,62 g Head of the deified Alexander the Great right, wearing diadem and horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros enthroned left, shield resting against base of throne; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΛΥΣΙMΑXOY to left, AP monogram to inner left. Very Fine Thompson -; cf. The New York Sale XXX, 9 January 2013, 80. Lysimachos, a prominent figure in the Hellenistic era, had his origins as a Macedonian noble and a trusted general in the ranks of Alexander the Great. His military career saw him play a pivotal role in some of Alexander's most significant campaigns, including the conquest of Persia and the famous Battle of Issus in 333 BC. The demise of Alexander the Great in 323 BC ushered in a tumultuous period of political upheaval as his empire was divided among his trusted generals, known as the Diadochi. Lysimachus received his share, ruling over Thrace, a region encompassing parts of modern- day Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey. The post-Alexander period was marked by power struggles among the Diadochi, and Lysimachus was embroiled in conflicts with his counterparts, including Seleucus I Nicator, Ptolemy I Soter, and Cassander. These struggles frequently led to shifting alliances and military confrontations, creating a dynamic and ever-changing geopolitical landscape. Lysimachus was known for his robust rule in Thrace and his successful consolidation of power in the region. He extended his dominion into parts of Asia Minor, where he founded the city of Lysimachia, named in his honor. However, one of the most notable chapters in his life was the conflict with Seleucus, which played out in a series of wars known as the Syrian Wars. These wars were characterized by fluid alliances and territorial disputes, reflecting the complex nature of Hellenistic politics. The Battle of Corupedium in 281 BC brought Lysimachus's life and rule to a close. Engaging in combat against Seleucus I, he met his demise on the battlefield, marking the end of his rule. His legacy resides in the intricate dynamics and challenges of the Hellenistic period, a time when the empire of Alexander the Great fragmented, giving rise to a world of ever- shifting alliances and rivalries among his successors. Starting price: 1250 EUR |  |
Match 5:
| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Online Auction 187 | Silver | Auction date: 10 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 81 Price realized: 400 EUR (Approx. 431 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Seleukid Kingdom. Antioch on the Orontes. Antiochos III Megas 222-187 BC. Tetradrachm AR 30 mm, 16,13 g Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩ[Σ] ANT-IOXOY, Apollo Delphios, nude but for chlamys draped from his waist, wearing laurel wreath and seated on omphalos to left, testing arrow with his right hand and resting his left on a bow leaning against the omphalos behind him, monogram to outer left. Nearly Extremely Fine SC 1042.1. Antiochus III Megas, widely known as Antiochus III the Great, was a significant figure in the Hellenistic period, reigning over the vast Seleucid Empire from 222 BC to 187 BC. His rule is characterized by ambitious military campaigns and strategic diplomacy, leaving a lasting impact on the ancient world. Antiochus III ascended the Seleucid throne during a challenging era, with the empire's influence waning. Determined to restore its former glory, he embarked on an impressive series of military expeditions. One of his most notable achievements was the successful invasion of Egypt, which led to the recovery of territories in Asia Minor, the Levant, and even parts of Greece. However, his ambitions weren't without opposition. The Fourth Syrian War against Egypt, though initially victorious, ultimately saw a defeat at the Battle of Raphia. Furthermore, his efforts to expand into Asia Minor brought him into direct conflict with the formidable Roman Republic. Antiochus III's conflict with Rome resulted in the Peace of Apamea in 188 BC, a treaty that forced him to surrender territories and curtailed his territorial aspirations. Despite the setbacks, his reign left a significant mark on the Seleucid Empire's history, symbolizing a brief resurgence of power. Tragically, Antiochus III's life came to an untimely end when he was assassinated in 187 BC during an eastern campaign. His legacy is one of both ambition and limitation, a ruler whose grand designs clashed with the growing might of Rome, shaping the destiny of the Seleucid Empire and the broader course of history in the Hellenistic era. Starting price: 200 EUR |  |
