Illyria, Damastion
Tetrobol Circa 380-360 BCE
AR 2.21g 12mm
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Rev: ΔΑΜΑΣΤΙΝΩN. Tripod, legs ending in lion’s feet.
May, Damastion 7; HGC 3.1, 108.
Ex Savoca 2019
The location of the ancient city of Damastion is today a great mystery, and the coordinates used here are only a guess. It is therefore sited at the modern-day city of Resen, where some scholars believe it was. Even the country today is not certain, with Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Albania proposed.
In antiquity, it was coveted for its silver mines, which were certainly used to mint this coin. Supposedly Aegina colonized it. By 356 BCE, it was under the control of Macedon. This coin was likely minted under King Bardylis, who attempted to make Illyria a major power and fought often with Macedon. He lived to a reputed 90 years until he died at the hands of Philip II.
Settlers from Aegina colonize Damastion
The mines at Damastion come under the control of Macedon.