| Description : Ancient Greek Cyprus Silver Tetradrachm | | Nikokles, King of Paphos, Cyprus, c. 325 - c. 317 B.C., In the name of Alexander the Great
Price notes, "The name of Nikokles has been discovered in minute letters hidden in the tufts of hair along the front rim of the lion skin on seven different dies. The different styles of the dies make it certain that the name is not that of an engraver, and the conclusion that it must be that of the king of Paphos is inescapable. The clandestine manner in which the inscription has been engraved suggests that it was not intended that it should be read by all. The inscription was missed by Newell, when completing his study in 1915, and there is little chance it would have been spotted in ancient times." Forum can't find this inscription even with a microscope. Perhaps the king of Paphos didn't want to bring down the wrath of Alexander and only secretly minted coins in his own name?
8341. Silver tetradrachm, Price 3119 |