Important Ancient Coins

GREEK COINAGES, Kings and Dynasts of Thrace, Kavaros (c. 225-218), Tetradrachm, Kabyle, head of Herakles right wearing lion-skin, rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΚΑΥΑΡΟΥ, Zeus seated left on throne holding eagle and sceptre, Phosoros facing with two torches in left field, 16.65g/12h (Draganov, The Coinage of Cybyle, 1993, 867-73, same dies; Youroukova 107). About extremely fine and extremely rare; only eight recorded specimens, four of which are in museums £1,500-2,000

Provenance: B. Murphy Collection; C. Rudd FPL 75, May 2004 (1); C. Morrison Collection.

The Gallic chieftain Kavaros was the one of only two Gallic kings of Thrace to strike coinage. Kabyle was his captital, and the presence of its badge, Artemis Phosphoros, on his coins confirms that they were minted there (cf. Price, Alexander III, 882)