KINGS OF THRACE. Lysimachos, 305-281 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 16.99 g, 12 h), Pergamum, 287/6-282. Diademed head of Alexander III to right, ram’s horn over his ear. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ Athena seated to left on throne, resting her left elbow on her shield and holding Nike in her outstretched right hand; in outer left field, crescent to left; in inner left, cult image; in the exergue, monogram of ΠΑ. Arnold-Biucchi 23 (O6/R23). Thompson -. A superb coin of splendid style, struck in high relief and elegantly toned. Good extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection.

There are so many tetradrachms of Lysimachos! With their horned portraits of Alexander they were both very popular and exceptionally important commercially. Stylistically they range from the heights of Hellenistic portraiture to curious caricatures, that have actually been turned into disguised portraits of Mithridates VI! What we have here is, without question, one of the best of all the Alexander heads to appear on the coin of Lysimachos. The emotional intensity – pathos – that radiates from this head is a triumph of engraving skill.