Lot 1001
Celtic. Carpathian region. Imitating Philip II of Macedon. Silver Tetradrachm (11.88 g), 3rd century BC. 'Zickzackgruppe' type. Laureate head of Zeus left. Rev. ΠΛΛΛ, horseman riding left; behind, circle. (Kostial 738; OTA 459; CCCBM I S132). Fully lustrous and boldly struck. Mint state. Estimate $3,000UP
The Zeus and horseman types introduced by Philip II enjoyed great popularity among neighboring Thracian and Celtic peoples. Indeed, they were so successful that they continued in production long after his death because the Thracians and Celts demanded them in payment when they served as mercenaries in the armies of early Hellenistic dynasts and kings. This preference for Philip's types spawned numerous local imitations such as this tetradrachm. It takes the standard images of Zeus and the horseman and twists them into something new and unique through the abstract artistry for which the Celts are justifiably famous.
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