Ancient Greece - 196-146 BC Thessalian League AR Double-Victoriatus NGC Ch AU* Ex.Oechsner Collection

Condition Census and one of the finest we've seen or handled. This silver Double Victoriatus of the Thessalian League was struck c.196-146 BC. (22mm - 6.046 g). It is sharply struck and in very high relief. The obverse features the bearded head of Zeus facing right, wearing a laurel or oak wreath. The reverse features Athena Itonia standing and facing right, brandishing spear in her right hand, and holding shield on left arm. The inscription ΔA-MOΘOI is above, and ΦIΛOΞENI is in exergue. At the sides of Athena is the inscritpion ΘΕΣΣΑ to the left and ΛΩΝ on the right. This is the much scarcer McClean-4746 variety. Other similar McClean varieties, more easily distinguished by the reverse lettering, appear perhaps as much as ten times that of this issue.