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Willem Knapen

Macedon, Akanthos, ca. 500-480 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 15.6g). Attic standard

Obv.: Bull collapsing to left, head raised, attacked and mauled by lion upon his back to right; reverted lotus flower on exergual line
Rev.: Quadripartite incuse square. 

From a Private European collection.

Apparently unpublished in the standard references and Extremely Rare; possibly only the fourth known example.

For past sales please see CNG 84, lot 204 in 2004, which has been hammered for USD 4'300.-- (+ commission) or Romanumismatics Auction XXIX, lot 124 in 2023, which has been sold for GBP 5'500.-- (+ 22.5% commission)

This exceedingly rare coin is one of the earliest tetradrachms from Akanthos, recognisable by the thick flan. This particular variety with the lotus flower on the exergual line is notable not only for its rarity, not being published in any of the standard reference works, but also for demonstrating the difference between these early coins and the later more common types. The lotus here is naturalistic and encroaches onto the field of the main design, the style then develops into the highly stylised floral element which is firmly within the boundaries of the exergue seen on later coins.

This tetradrachm from Akanthos in Macedonia (ca. 500–480 BC) is not only an impressive artistic achievement but also tells a fascinating story from the ancient world.

The Design – A Scene Full of Dynamism and Symbolism
On the obverse, a lion attacks a bull—a depiction full of movement, drama, and power. The bull collapses onto its front legs while the lion pounces from behind, sinking its claws into the flesh, creating a scene filled with pain and struggle. This motif was widely used in Akanthos and may symbolize the city's dominance over its enemies or even represent a deeper cosmological struggle between order (the bull) and chaos (the lion).

Beneath the scene, a stylized lotus flower appears—a decorative element that could symbolize purity and fertility but may also serve as a separator between earth and sky in this context.

The reverse features a classic quadripartite incuse square, typical of early Greek coinage.

This specific variant appears to be unlisted in major numismatic reference works, making it particularly intriguing for collectors and scholars.

Akanthos was one of the most influential cities in Chalkidike, especially during the Persian invasions. The coin was likely minted during the time of the Persian Wars and could have been used as tribute to the Achaemenid Empire or to fund local military operations.

The high-relief depiction of the bull-lion struggle is among the earliest examples of dynamic movement in Greek coinage. Artists of this period began moving away from rigid archaic depictions toward more lifelike and dramatic compositions.

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Ungraded

Macedonia, Akanthos Tetradrachm 500-480 BC

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