022: Thrace. Ainos, c. 359-356 BC. AR Tetradrachm
May-26-08
Closed at:US $37,000.00
Seller:i-lgoldbergcoinsandcollectibles

 Thrace. Ainos, c. 359-356 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.73 g). 
Three-quarters facing head of youthful Hermes, turned slightly 
towards the left, wearing petasos with beaded band. 
Reverse: Goat standing right, eagle before; ethnic above. 
May, Ainos, 434 var (A263 / 
unlisted reverse die, but cf. P310); Von 
Fritze, Ainos, pl. ii, 2 (same obverse die). Dies of elegant 
style, finely centered and sharply struck, on flan of 
extraordinary size. Deeply toned. Exceptional! NGC graded 
About Uncirculated. 

Of the coins which portray Hermes, the silver 
coins of Ainos are the most charismatic. All the tetradrachms are rare and believed to have been minted as 
special issues, while the much more plentiful smaller 
denominations served the needs of daily commerce and payment 
of the military. This particular specimen is one of the last 
tetradrachms to have been struck before the city was 
absorbed into Philip II's Kingdom of Macedon. 

Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,500. 
Our item number 115670

Images & text re-used by permission, courtesy of Ira & Larry Goldberg Auctioneers, Beverly Hills, CA