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★ VERY RARE ★
MACEDON. Demetrios I Poliorketes, 306–283 BC. Small Æ. Uncertain Asia Minor mint, c. 301/298–295 BC.
MAIN COIN CHARACTERISTICS
State / Kingdom: Kingdom of Macedon (Antigonid dynasty)
Ruler: Demetrios I Poliorketes
Full Name: Demetrios I Poliorketes, son of Antigonos I Monophthalmos
Reign: 306–283 BC; King of Macedon 294–288 BC
Denomination: small bronze denomination (AE; commonly described as small bronze / chalkous)
Rarity: HGC 3.1, 1031 — R2; the type is commonly described as Very Rare
Condition: VG/Fine; upper design elements partly off flan or weakly struck
Patina / Surfaces: stable dark olive-green archaeological patina with naturally mineralized surfaces and localized light brown/orange deposits
OBVERSE
Nike standing left on the prow of a war galley left, blowing a trumpet and holding a stylis. On this small, off-center specimen Nike is only partly preserved; the prow and lower portion of the composition are clearest. The complete Newell 62 type includes Nike standing on the prow.
REVERSE
Poseidon Pelagaios shown moving left and viewed predominantly from behind, preparing to throw a trident with his right hand; his left arm is extended and carries the hanging chlamys. The conspicuous bent and extended arms are characteristic of this reverse type. The royal abbreviation BA is partly preserved to left; a control monogram/symbol appears to right, but its exact letter composition is not sufficiently secure. The upper trident and parts of the figure are off flan or lost through weak strike and wear.
ATTRIBUTION
This coin belongs to the rare small-bronze series of Demetrios I Poliorketes with Nike on a galley prow and Poseidon Pelagaios on the reverse. The agreed attribution is Newell 62 group/variant; HGC 3.1, 1031. Newell 62 is known with differing control marks and monogram positions; the poorly preserved controls on this specimen are therefore not reconstructed beyond what is securely legible.
HGC 3.1, 1031 is cited with an R2 rarity rating, and the type is commonly described as Very Rare. This rarity applies to the numismatic type/variety rather than to the grade of the individual specimen.
CONDITION AND SURFACES
VG/Fine. The small flan and strike displacement have removed portions of the upper designs. The reverse remains identifiable through the central figure of Poseidon, while the attributes and control marks are incomplete. Stable dark olive-green archaeological patina with naturally mineralized surfaces and localized light brown/orange deposits.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Demetrios I Poliorketes (c. 337–283 BC), son of Antigonos I Monophthalmos, was one of the most prominent Successors of Alexander the Great. The maritime imagery of Nike on a warship prow and Poseidon Pelagaios formed part of the royal iconography associated with Demetrios and his naval power. Better known from his major silver issues, the same imagery on this small bronze denomination gives the type particular interest for a specialized collection of Hellenistic Macedonian coinage.
NUMISMATIC SIGNIFICANCE
This small bronze transfers Demetrios’ characteristic maritime imagery to a compact denomination. The combination of Nike on the galley prow and Poseidon Pelagaios is the principal diagnostic feature of the series, while the varying control marks add specialized numismatic interest.
EXPERT CONCLUSION
Small bronze of Demetrios I Poliorketes, uncertain Asia Minor mint, c. 301/298–295 BC. Type: Nike on galley prow / Poseidon Pelagaios with trident; Newell 62 group/variant; HGC 3.1, 1031 (R2). Although preserved only VG/Fine with partial off-flan design loss, the diagnostic composition is consistent with this rare series. Authenticity: Authentic ancient coin. Authenticity guaranteed.