KINGS of THRACE, Local Dynasts. Skostokos. Circa 285/4-273/2 BC. AR Tetradrachm.

Skostokos of Ainos

In the chaos that followed the fall of Lysimachos, as rival powers scrambled to claim the remnants of his fractured realm, one figure stood firm: Skostokos. Long thought to be a mere opportunist who rose from the shadows to seize parts of Thrace, new evidence has dramatically reshaped this narrative. Fischer-Bossert’s groundbreaking die study reveals a very different picture—Skostokos was not a usurper, but a sanctioned local dynast based near Ainos, operating under the authority of Lysimachos himself.

Far from defying royal power, Skostokos was permitted to strike Lysimachos-type coins during the king’s final years, a privilege that underscores both trust and status within the waning Lysimachid regime. His coinage, bearing the name and symbols of a dying empire, became a striking emblem of continuity amid the disintegration of Hellenistic order.

Current scholarship, including E. Paunov’s contribution to A Companion to Ancient Thrace (p. 280, fig. 18.4), dates Skostokos’ rule to roughly 285/4–273/2 BC. Remarkably, even after Lysimachos' death, Skostokos continued minting Lysimachos-types—coins that rang out not only as currency but as a political statement, resisting the encroaching tide of Seleukid authority in Thrace.

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This coin is the same type as this one from CNG's Auction 114 (Lot 103), which was estimated for 2,000 USD but ended up having a hammer price of 5,000 USD: https://www.numisbids.com/sale/3821/lot/?lot=103

This coin is also the same type as this one from CNG's ongoing (at the time of this writing) Triton XXIX Auction (Lot 99), with an estimate of 3,000 USD (final hammer price expected to be higher): https://www.numisbids.com/sale/10129/lot/99

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Obverse: Diademed head of the deified Alexander the Great facing right, with horn of Ammon over his ear.

Reverse: Athena Nikephoros seated left, arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; to inner left, cult image set on throne.

Mint: Ainos.

Provenance: Ex Jean Vinchon Numismatique, May 2025 Auction, Lot 12.

Notes: Rare; only six examples noted by Fischer-Bossert.

References: Cf. Fischer-Bossert, Lysimacheier C7 (V c6/R c7); Thompson 257 var.; Müller 114; HGC 3, 1750r; Meydancikkale 2691–2; Weber 2727.