Thrace. Lysimachos. Asia Minor (?). 3rd century BC. AV Stater (8.49g, 1h). Nomos 2017 (15) lot 50; Tradart 2.77 (this coin). Lightly toned. Probably the 2nd and finest specimen known of this fascinating and intriguing issue. Choice extremely fine. From the Sadijas collection; Giessener Münzhandlung 1989 (44) lot 179

According to the Nomos AG numismatists, exactly who is meant to be portrayed on the obverse of this coin is uncertain; what we can say is that it is certainly not Alexander! This portrait looks much more like a Seleucid (Hierax?) or even a Cappadocian (Ariarathes IV?) king. A number of posthumous staters struck in the name of Philip II are known bearing distinctively individual portraits, so the possibility of this exceptional coin being struck in the name of Lysimachos, but bearing the portrait of a contemporary ruler would be quite reasonable.