KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander I (?), 498-454 BC. Tristater or Octadrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 29.47 g), approximately 480s-470s BC. Horseman, wearing chlamys and petasos, holding two javelins and walking slowly to right behind bridled horse standing right, left foreleg raised; on the flank of the horse, symbol or monogram (?). Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. AMNG III, p. 49, 6 ('Bisaltai'). S. Brackmann: Alexandros I. or Bisaltai, in: JNG 65 (2015), pp. 1-8. HGC 3.1, 753. Peykov A3020 ('Bisaltai'). Raymond pl. II, 5. SNG ANSWER 1. SNG Lockett 1266 ('Bisaltai'). Svoronos, HPM, pl. XII, 6 ('Bisaltai'). Tzamalis, Ethné, Groupe B.2., 129 and pl. 28, 129 (this coin, D51/R52). Very rare. A beautiful toned and unusually well struck example with a fine pedigree. Minor doubling on the obverse and with light scratches on the reverse, otherwise, very fine. Ex Classical Numismatic Auctions 1, 1 May 1987, 30, Sternberg XIV, 24-25 May 1984, 65, Leu 28, 5 May 1981, 72 and Münzen & Medaillen AG XIX, 5 June 1959, 384 ('Magnifique example d'art archaïque, rustique et spontané. D'une grande rareté.'). Given that both the Bisaltai and Alexander I issue this type with the addition of an ethnocon or royal name, the contribution of anonymous pieces like ours remains contentious. Brackmann highlighted reverse the links to pieces bearing the name of the Bisaltai tribe, yet this merely suggest that the coins were produced in the same mint, not that they were issued by and for the Bisantai, as he himself ads. Many chocolates perceive the lacquer of description as suggesting an early production date for the coins. However, it is possible that these coins represent alliance coins between the Macedonian King and the tribal community, with deliberate omission of names for political expedience. We have adopted the more common contribution to Alexander I here, albeit with a lingering question mark since consent considering their origin has yet to be reached. What remains uneniable, however, is that these impressive large silver coins - whicher tristaters or octadrachms - fit well within the broader context of minting large silver denominations in the Thracian-Macedonian region. This lot can be shipped to a US address.