Live auction - bgr_700065 - EPIRUS - KINGDOM OF EPIRUS - ALEXANDER THE MOLOSSIAN Unité

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AU/XF

Estimate :	600 €
Price :	410 €
Maximum bid :	633 €
End of the sale :	25 January 2022 14:06:46
bidders :	2 bidders

Type : Unité

Date: c. 334-333 AC

Mint name / Town : Tarente, Calabre

Metal : copper

Diameter : 19 mm

Orientation dies : 9 h.

Weight : 5,98 g.

Rarity : INÉDIT

Coments on the condition:

Exemplaire sur un petit flan irrégulier bien centré à l’usure régulière. Belle patine verte

Catalogue references :

V.- - BMC.- - Cop.- - HGCS. 3/1-- - HN. Italy-

Obverse

Obverse legend : ANÉPIGRAPHE.

Obverse description : Tête de Zeus de Dodone coiffé d’une couronne de chêne.

Reverse

Reverse description : Foudre ailé horizontal entre un fer de lance à droite et une étoile.

Reverse legend : ALEXANDROU/ TOU NEOPTOLEMOU.

Reverse translation : (Alexandre fils de Néoptolème).

Commentary

Semble complètement inédit et non récensé pour le monnayage de bronze. Manque à tous les ouvrages consultés. De la plus grande rareté et d’une importante historique avérée. Ce type n’est pourtant repris dans aucun ouvrage de référence consacré au monnayage de Tarente ou de l’Épire.

Historical background

EPIRUS - KINGDOM OF EPIRUS - ALEXANDER THE MOLOSSIAN

(350-331 BC)

Alexander son of Neoptolemus was the brother-in-law of Philip II of Macedonia and the brother of Olympias, the parents of Alexander the Great. He ascended the throne of Epirus with the help of Philip II. However, relations ran into trouble when his sister was relegated after Philippe's marriage to Attale's daughter. However, Alexander the Molossus married the daughter of Philip II just before the Macedonian king was assassinated. The death of Archidamos, king of Sparta, in 338 BC at Mandurias, beaten by the Messapians and the Lucanians, forced the Tarentines to find a new ally to contain their turbulent neighbors. They appealed to Alexander the Molossian, king of Epirus and brother-in-law of Alexander III the Great of Macedonia. Arriving in southern Italy, Alexander the Molossus had to fight against the southern Italian tribes of Lucania and Apulia, eager to build a kingdom in Magna Graecia. He died in 331 fighting against the Lucanians.