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Hi Andi --
The pattern is very close to drachme coinage of Lysimach, and ΛΥΣΙΜΑXΟΥ on the reverse translates to Lysimachus. Your ID is correct.
But the weight is off. That's not good. A tetradrachm (four drachma) weighs about 17.2 grams, a drachma weighs one-quarter of that, or 4.3 grams.
For a Greek coin to weigh 2.9 grams, it would be a tetrobol. See the table of weights on wikipedia, here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_drachma
The pattern itself looks a little flaky. Compare it to my picture of a genuine tetradrachm, but, comparing pictures of ancient coins is a chancy game.
The ID is correct. The pattern may be correct. The composition (silver) is correct. But the weight says tetrobol. As far as I know, there are no tetrobols with this pattern.
Professional authentication is needed. Take your coin for an in-person inspection by a knowledgeable collector or professional coin dealer.
Here is the auction description for the coin in my picture:
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Roma Numismatics Ltd > E-Sale 100 Auction date: 28 July 2022
Lot number: 328Price realized: 550 GBP (Approx. 662 USD / 654 EUR / 638 CHF)
Bithynia, Kalchedon AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Lysimachos of Thrace. Circa 260-200 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander to right, with horn of Ammon / Athena Nikephoros seated to left, left arm resting on shield; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΛΥΣΙΜΑXΟΥ crowned by Nike to left, monogram in inner left field. Marinescu Issue 18, 45; Black Sea Hoard 382 var. (grain stalk in exergue); HGC 7, 524; Nomos obolos 16, lot 624 (hammer: 1,300 CHF). 17.07g, 30mm, 12h.
Near Extremely Fine.
From the inventory of a German dealer.
Estimate: 350 GBP
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Thanks again,friend Paul,for a new & detailed answer of yours! But I have to apologize for missleading you on the weight of my drachm: When I wrote the topic,I had not the coin with me and put the value that I remembered but it was confused with that of another ancient coin of mine.
The correct weight of my coin is 3.58g.!
So,with this new value,what do you say,please?!
Andi
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Hi Andi --
3.58 grams is still a little light. It could easily be a drachme, because many of them from Thrace are much lighter than 4 grams. But with this particular pattern, I have not been able to find any near your 3.58 gram number.
You need someone smarter than me to verify authenticity.
The database I use (Coin Archives Pro) has 1915 Lysimach drachma. I scanned the first 300, and found only 5 that were lighter than 4.0 grams, and the lightest was 3.79 grams.
My picture shows a snap of one of the database pages.
It is good that your coin is silver. If your scale is off a little, that would be good!
I'll put your coin in our next CoinQuest Newsletter, Maybe a reader will have some ideas ...
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Paul Richards
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Paul Richards Hello,dear friend Paul! How are you?! There is now quite a while that I have no more news from you... Also I got no reply to my last msg. of response to your last ''private'' msg. you sent me about 10 days ago,on the 23-rd. of August (the msg. in which you asked my area of ''expertise'')
I hope you are well!... Since then I saw some other answers of yours to other members' topics...
Also,what about your friend Joshua from New-Zealand and his expert opinion upon my Lysimachos drachma?!? Did he say something? Are you able to contact him?
Hope to hear soon from you! I am glad to receive news from time to time...
Andi
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Hi again,Paul! Many thanks for your new message & help! By the way,you are very smart! Also,please put my coin were you said because it's a nice coin in high grade of conservation(AU) and it is worth to know for sure what we are dealing with...
Friendly best regards,
Andi
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Hi Andi. The Lysimachus drachm looks rather suspicious to me authenticity wise due to its style and overall appearance.
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Joshua Lee Hello,Joshua! Thank you very much for your message & opinion! Best friendly regards!
Andi
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