★ Lampsakos or Abydos? ★

KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III 'the Great', 336-323 BC. Drachm (Silver, 29 mm, 4.23 g, 12 h), Lampsakos, 328-323. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion's skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle in his right; to left, forepart of Pegasos to left; below throne, monogram of ΖΩ. Price 1505 ( "Abydus(?)" ). Toned with some hoard patina remaining, attractive iridescent highlights on reverse. Fine style. Collection sticker on reverse, and minor porosity, otherwise, extremely fine.

From a Swiss collection compiled in the 1960s.

Price wrote that an attribution of Abydos, common among catalogers, should be "considered most uncertain" for this issue. He posits, among other arguments, that "the position of the legs of Zeus, pulled round to three-quarter view, as on 1501-1515, is markedly similar to that on the Lampsacus issues 1351ff," and that "the Pegasus-forepart of 1504-1506 might encourage one to place these issues within the Lampsacus group." This numismatist believes that Lampsakos is the most convincing attribution for this drachm.