Lysimachos AR Tetradrachm, Alexander-Ammon / Athena Nikephoros, 323–281 BC

Lysimachos, Tetradrachm, silver, reign 323–281 BC, struck 323–281 BC, 15.87 g, 28 mm. Thracian Kingdom; uncertain mint, possibly Abydos. Anepigraphic obverse: diademed head of the deified Alexander III right, with the horn of Ammon. Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ; Athena enthroned left, holding Nike standing left in her extended right hand; left elbow resting on shield; transverse spear behind; eagle standing right in inner left field. Struck on the Attic standard; control device the eagle in left field; unlisted in Thompson; cf. Müller 342 (Aphytis) for a comparable issue. Lysimachos, one of Alexander’s successors, promoted his authority by placing the deified Alexander with the Ammon horn on his silver tetradrachms, a design that became a dominant Hellenistic royal type. The reverse with Athena and Nike advertises victory and civic protection and was issued at numerous mints across Thrace and western Asia Minor to finance campaigns during the Diadoch wars until his defeat at Corupedium in 281 BC. These issues continued to circulate and be imitated for decades, reflecting their wide acceptance in Aegean trade.