This one came in earlier today: Greek, Islands off Thrace, Thasos, AR Tetradrachm(16.63g). After 148 BC. Head of Dionysos right wreathed with ivy leaves / ΗΡΑΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΘΑΣΙΩΝ, nude Herakles standing left, holding club & lion skin, MDHP monogram to left. SNG Cop 1046. Sear Greek 1759 A beautiful nearly mint state example of one of these caught my eye a while back and I finally managed to find one that seemed to hit the price/quality sweet spot. I have done a bit of research since buying it and I'm still not yet sure whether it's an early imitative issue or an official Thasos issue. I don't care too terribly much, but if anyone is knowledgeable on these, please enlighten me.
Amazingly cool score, red_spork => nice, congrats on scoring that sweet puppy!! ... ummm, I have a similar example (kinda) ... The sweet Dionysian Tetradrachm of Maroneia portrait is very similar (however, my coin's reverse features Dionysos ... your sweet coin has Herakles and his sweet club) ... both are kinda cool, yes?
All ancients are cool! I actually went back and forth, not sure if I wanted a Maroneia or a Thasos tetradrachm, only really settling on Thasos because I really liked this particular one.
very nice RS..i've been checking out these coins myself. seems to be of the the more affordable priced tetradrachms?
Regarding your OP question, it appears to be an official issue to me and not a contemporary imitation. Nice coin!
These are extremely affordable tetradrachms. I paid $200 for this one and occasionally you can get an even nicer one in an auction for that price.
