MILETUS ALEXANDER TYPE TETRADRACHM -HIGHLY UNUSUAL ISSUE – VF GREEK IONIA COIN (Inv. 19294)

$975.00

19294. IONIA. MILETUS. CIVIC ISSUE IN THE NAME AND TYPES OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, ca. 190–165 BC.
Silver Tetradrachm of Alexander type, 16.99 g, 29 mm.
Obv. Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, small star above lion looking back above MI control in left field, IAI above ME controls in right field.
Price 2212 var.; Münzkabinett Berlin 18252373 (same obverse die).
VF.

This tetradrachm is a particularly fascinating coin. Although it is related to Price 2212, the lower right field control monogram appears to be different than the one reported by Price which is a ΠA. It is likely a new “Price unlisted” variety, closely associated with Price 2212 since it shares its obverse die with a coin in Berlin recorded by Price. However, perhaps even more interesting is the engraving’s handling of the exergue line. The rear throne leg is shown extending below the line while the front leg is completely bisected by the line. Under these circumstances one wonders what the engraver thought the exergue line—which he presumably engraved himself—was intended to represent. Clearly, he did not consider it as a visual indicator of the ground.