Kenneth W. Dorney

Auction 11  –  30 November 2020

Kenneth W. Dorney, Auction 11

Ancient, Byzantine and Chinese Coins

Mo, 30.11.2020, from 5:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.

Description

Egypt, Pharaonic Kingdom, Unknown Pharoah, Late 5th - mid 4th Century BC
Silver Tetradrachm, Memphis (?) Mint, 24mm, 14.02 grams
Head of Athena right with frontal eye wearing crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss.
Reverse: Owl dstanding right with head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, all within incuse square.
Van Alfen Group III.A.1 fig. 1 // Buttrey Type B // Curtis Plate X, #1 Only a few types of coins were ever struck by the Egyptians, none of them truly their own style but in imitation of other types. The precise dating of these coins is still in flux awaiting further data, though it can be determined in general when they were first and last used. The 29th Dynasty Pharaoh Hakor (Hellenized to Acoris by some) formed an alliance with Athens and Cyprus in about 389-8 BC. Within a few years Hakor was engaged with the Persians and had to employ mercenary forces from Greece. In order to pay these troops in a currency which would be acceptable, and since Egypt had none of its own, coin dies were obtained from Athens and tetradrachms were soon being struck. Over time the Egyptians would engrave their own dies in a distinct style. As Egypt did not have any domestic sources for silver, it is often assumed that they obtained bullion from Athens as well. The mint is assumed to have been at Memphis as dies and coins have been found there. During this tumultuous period mercenaries were continually employed, only ending in 341 with the defeat of Nectanedo II by the Persians. It is assumed that these tetradrachms were continually issued during this roughly 50 year period.

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Starting price 350 USD
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