11036

Macedon, Akanthos. Circa 470-450 B.C.

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:250.00 - 350.00 USD
Macedon, Akanthos. Circa 470-450 B.C.
Macedon, Akanthos. Circa 470-450 B.C.<p> AR tetrobol. Forepart of bull left with head reverted; above, "A"/Quadripartite incuse square. 2.41 g. SNG ANS 47. AU50 ICG. Terms we have used to classify ancient coin denominations make better sense than some of those of U.S. or world coinage. Instead of trimes, stellas or bits, polupoltinniks, ponds or kobans, ancient Greek coin enthusiasts need to keep the following in their minds: deka = 10, so a dekadrachm is 10 drachms (silver dollar sized and seldom minted); tetra = 4; the tetradrachm is normally the largest silver coin of the Greek world; the above tetrobol from Akanthos is worth 4 obols, or 2/3 drachm; di = 2, like in distater; obol = 1/6th drachm; tri = 3, hemi = 1/2; a triobol (3 obols) is equivalent to a hemidrachm; tetartemorion = 1/4 obol, a rare Greek coin denomination.With this knowledge, then, it is relatively easy to come to grips with a trihemistater (3 halves of a stater, or 11/2 stater) or even a hemitartemorion (1/8 obol; 48 of these minuscule coins are equal to a drachm!). The early Greeks kept these tiny coins in their mouths, in a pocket secured by tongue pressure - ancient coins were that valuable!From the Collection of Dr. Joseph M. Seventko. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Also please note that all Heritage/CAA lots purchased through eBay Premier carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions.