Macedon. Akanthos circa 480-470 BC.
Tetradrachm AR
28mm., 17,00g.
Lion to right on back of bull to left which he attacks, biting flank, bristling hairs on edge of lion’s back and mane, bull sunk on left foreleg, head raised, tail extending over border of dots, dotted line between two plain lines marks off exergue in which there is a flower (or yoked oxen head), above, epicenter symbol (Θ) / Quadripartite incuse square with granulated surfaces.
nearly very fine, with beautiful light golden toning
SNG ANS 10; Boston 518-519.
According to A.Tsintsifos (Perix Pangaion Epeiros, The dawn of coinage, Part I, 21), this coin is attributed to the Thraco-Macedonian tribe of Akanthioi in Phagre at the district of Mount Pangaion, because "...the style of the lion's head originates from Phagre, just like the reverse code".