The Classical Economies Collection

KINGS of MACEDON

PHILIP II
359-336 BC

AR Drachm (3.42 g, 16mm, 4).

      Mint: Amphipolis.
      Struck: 356-355 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ
                Horseman riding left, holding palm and raising right hand;
                Thunderbolt below, ΔΗ in exergue.
      Ref: Le Rider pl. 23, 22; SNG ANS 461; SNG Alpha Bank 282 var.
                (control mark); Winterthur 1463 (same rev. die).
      Pedig: Ex Münzen & Medallien Deutsch. 10 (22 Mar 2002), lot 176.

Notes: According to LeRider, this mint/control mark denotes the first issue of Philip's coinage minted at Amphipolis (issue IA). M. Price's rearrangement of LeRider's mint scheme would place this coin in the first issue of the mint of Pella in 348 BC (see previous lot for discussion). Other published specimens: SNG Copenhagen 567-8 var. (control marks); SNG Berry 123 var. (same); Pozzi 1652 var. (same); Winterthur 1463 (same reverse die).

ALEXANDER III
336-323 BC

AR Drachm (4.29 g, 17mm, 9).

      Mint: Primary Macedonian mint ('Amphipolis').
      Struck: Under Antipater, circa 325-323 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, o within Π.
      Ref: Price 141; Troxell, Studies, group E/F.
      Pedig: Ex Stephen Album List 218 (November 2006), no. 50546

Notes: This drachm type was unrecorded until the publication of the Sinan Pascha hoard in ADM I. The sole example in that hoard was later supplemented by another five found in the 1993 Near East hoard (publ. C.A. Hersh & H.A. Troxell, AJN 5-6 [1993]). The chronology of the Sinan Pascha hoard allowed Thompson, followed by Price, to place this issue among the huge tetradrachm issues with the same control (always paired with another symbol), dated to circa 320-317 BC. The inclusion of the type in the Near East hoard, certainly deposited by 322 BC, disproved such a late placement. In her seminal work on the primary Macedonian mint, Troxell firmly placed the issue parallel with her tetradrachm groups E and F, in the period circa 325-323 BC. By the time of her writing, she had located three additional three examples, bringing the total known to ten. As all of these coins were dispersed in the marketplace, it is uncertain whether the present coin is a new example, or one of these ten (only the Sinan Pascha coin and one of the Near East hoard coins are photographed [the latter was also the plate coin in Troxell, Studies).

AR Drachm (4.05 g, 16mm, 7).

      Mint: Primary Macedonian mint ('Amphipolis').
      Struck: Under Antipater, circa 320-319 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; monogram in left field.
      Ref: Cf. Price 121; cf. Troxell, Studies, group I3 (tetradrachms).
      Pedig: Ex VAuctions 214 (16 October 2008), lot 4.

Notes: Troxell notes that she knows of no small denominations of Alexander type following her group F, circa 323/2 BC. As such, the present coin is the sole known drachm from the primary Macedonian mint during the early Diadoch period. Her dates for group I, circa 320/19 BC, would comport with the period just following the conclusion of the First Diadoch War, when huge numbers of troops would have been returning to Macedon after the peace of Triparadisos. As with the Alexander drachms of the Asia Minor mints during this time, it is possible that this drachm was part of a payment to troops redeploying from the East.

AR Drachm (4.27 g, 15mm, 3).

      Mint: Lampsakos.
      Struck: Under Antigonos I Monophthalmos, circa 330-325 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: [ΑΛ]ΕΞΑΝΔΡ[ΟΥ]
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; caduceus in left field,
                monogram below throne.
      Ref: Price 1343 = ADM II 4 corr. (same dies, monogram not noted).
      Pedig: Ex Classical Numismatic Group 81/1 (20 May 2009), lot 332.

Notes: This coin is from the earliest issue of Alexandrine coinage at Lampsakos, which was comprised of both Tetradrachms and drachms. All of these coins have the caduceus symbol, and some have the additional monogram below the throne, as here. Although Price and ADM list the drachm denomination as only having the caduceus, this coin proves this to be incorrect. Both Price and ADM cite the ANS specimen (from the Sinan Pasha hoard), on which on the caduceus is visible. However, the present coin, struck from the same dies, proves that the ANS coin must also have this monogram, but that it is off the flan. Thus, this drachm issue corresponds to the tetradrachms of Price 1344, rather than Price 1342. This particular drachm issue is very rare, with the ANS/Sinan Pasha coin being the only published example (none were found in the 1993 Near East hoard, nor the 1964 Asia Minor hoard). The study of the 1993 Near East hoard by H.A. Troxell and C.A. Hersh (AJN 5-6 [1995]), provides the most recent analysis of the chronology of the emissions of the Alexander drachm mints. While many of the early emissions have been downdated at most mints, the evidence is inconclusive for the earliest issues at Lampsakos and Sardes. Circumstantial evidence suggests they were very limited issues, and may have begun as early as 330 BC. G. Le Rider, however, in an article affirming the findings of Troxell and Hersh ("Alexander in Asia Minor" in Essays Hersh), goes further, and provides an argument that none of the western Asia Minor mints began striking Alexander type coinage, in any denomination, until 325 BC. Regarding the issuing authority, Thompson (ADM) and Price are unclear, but it must have been Antigonos I Monophthalmos. In 333 BC, Alexander gave him the satrapy of Hellespontine Phrygia, then Lycia and Pamphylia in 331 BC, effectively making Antigonos the Macedonian overlord of Western Asia Minor. It is interesting that the monogram on this, the earliest Alexandrine coinage at Lampsakos, may resolve as AN, which may refer to Antigonos.

AR Drachm (4.26 g, 16mm, 12).

      Mint: Sardes.
      Struck: Under Antigonos I Monophthalmos, circa 330-325 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, griffin
                head left.
      Ref: Price 2536; ADM I 25; SNG Saroglos 787.

Notes: This coin is from the earliest issue of Alexandrine silver at Sardes, which was comprised of only drachms. Sardes was among the earliest mints in Asia Minor, and was the royal mint for the Persians, striking darics and sigloi down to the time of Alexander's conquest. Newell, Thompson, and Price all assert that Sardes must have been employed by Alexander almost immediately after capturing the mint. The first three issues were comprised exclusively of staters, and were issued in substantial quantities. The fourth issue was apparently significant, as it was not only composed of staters, but also halves and quarters, as well as these drachms. Although the mint became one of the drachm mints for Alexandrine coins, staters also continued to be issued in large numbers, attesting to the importance of the mint. This particular drachm issue is very rare, with only about seven known prior to the present coin (the first is in the Saroglos collection, another was in the 1964 Asia Minor hoard [currently in the Hersh collection], and five were found in the 1993 Near East hoard). The study of the 1993 Near East hoard by H.A. Troxell and C.A. Hersh (AJN 5-6 [1995]), provides the most recent analysis of the chronology of the emissions of the Alexander drachm mints. While many of the early emissions have been downdated at most mints, the evidence is inconclusive for the earliest issues at Lampsakos and Sardes. Circumstantial evidence suggests they were very limited issues, and may have begun as early as 330 BC. G. Le Rider, however, in an article affirming the findings of Troxell and Hersh ("Alexander in Asia Minor" in Essays Hersh), goes further, and provides an argument that none of the western Asia Minor mints began striking Alexander type coinage, in any denomination, until 325 BC. Regarding the issuing authority, Thompson (ADM) and Price are unclear, but it must have been Antigonos I Monophthalmos. In 333 BC, Alexander gave him the satrapy of Hellespontine Phrygia, then Lycia and Pamphylia in 331 BC, effectively making Antigonos the Macedonian overlord of Western Asia Minor.

AR Drachm (4.23 g, 16mm, 11).

      Mint: Arados.
      Struck: Circa 324-320 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; Σ in left field, civic
                monogram (AP) below throne.
      Ref: Price 3317; Duyrat group IV, series 4, 277 (D5/R5).
      Pedig: Ex Classical Numismatic Group 81/1 (20 May 2009), lot 349.

Notes: This coin is from the second issue of Alexandrine drachms at Arados (the first issue, without a mark in the left field, is known from only a single specimen, in the BM [Price 3310]). Girastart (Grostratos), who was king of Arados at the time of the Macedonian invasion, was at sea with the Persian fleet, and his son, Abdastart (Strato), was regent in his absence. In Arados, the regent had full authority of the king during the latter's absence, so it was Abdastart who had to decide his response. Without any other support, Abdastart took the prudent measure to capitulate to the Macedonians, and even contributed his navy to support the Alexander's siege of Tyre. Although Abdastart was confirmed in his position, it is unknown how long his reign lasted. As such, we do not known who exercised authority over the mint at the time this coin was issued. It is known that a Macedonian satrap, based in Syria, exercised overall control from the time of Alexander, but it is unlikely that he held direct control over the mints in Phoenicia. For example, in June 323 BC, Laomedon of Mytilene was named to this satrapy, but the historical record shows that he exercised very little control even over his territories in Syria, and was literally forced from his position by Nikanor in 319 BC. It is most likely that the local city leaders in Phoenicia, probably the king at Arados, had direct control of the mint, and issued coinage as needed for Macedonian purposes (probably to issue pay to troops returning from the East).

AR Drachm (4.12 g, 15mm, 9).

      Mint: Sidon.
      Struck: Dated CY 9 (325/4 BC).
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: [Α]ΛΕΞΑΝΔ[ΡΟΥ]
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; Phoenician 9 (date) in left
                field, ΣI below throne.
      Ref: Price 3488; Newell, Sidon 27.

Notes: Drachms from the Phoenician mints are very rare. This coin is from the only known issue of drachms from Sidon. Both Newell and Price only cite the BM and Prokesch-Osten (in Berlin) coins. No hoards record any, and none of the collections published since Price contain any. As such, this may very well be the third known example.

AR Drachm (4.23 g, 16mm, 8).

      Mint: 'Babylon'.
      Struck: 325-323 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; M in left field, monogram
                below throne.
      Ref: Price 3604.
      Pedig: 2005 Commerce Hoard.

Notes: Lifetime issue, struck at Babylon, during the time Alexander was there (and died). According to Price's introduction to the 'Babylon' mint, it is possible that the large "second group" (or series), to which this coin belongs, may have been struck at the mint in Susa, rather than Babylon (based on stylistic and logistical considerations). Also notible is that while the tetradrachms of this series are numerous, only two varieties of drachms are noted, and they are quite rare (there are only 6 published specimens of Price 3604: SNG Copenhagen 936, Pozzi Europe 1923, Meydancikkale 2238, Price 3604 (the Hersh collection specimen), plus two in collections referenced by Price: Lincoln [1898] and Montagu [Sotheby, 15 May 1897]).

AR Drachm (4.27 g, 16mm, 6).

      Mint: 'Babylon'.
      Struck: Under Perdikkas, circa 323-320 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; M in left field, ΛY
                below throne.
      Ref: Price 3693.
      Pedig: 2005 Commerce Hoard.

Notes: Price dates this issue generally to the lifetime of Philip III. However, in their corpus on the Seleukid coinage, Houghton and Lorber identify the issues in the name of Philip that belong to the first satrapy of Seleukos in Babylon, circa 320-315 BC. This particular issue was not identified as such, and thus must belong to the period 323-320 BC, when Perdikkas controlled Babylon. The M in the left field reinforces this dating, as it would logically follow the similarly marked coins that comprise the final lifetime issues of Alexander III at Babylon (see, generally, Price 3602-3687). Tetradrachms are very numerous in these series, but drachms are quite rare.

Just prior to his death, Alexander gave his ring to one of his generals, Perdikkas, who gained the support of the other Macedonian commanders and became regent for Philip III and Alexander's unborn son. By 320 BC, though, his autocratic leadership isolated him, and he was assassinated while campaigning against Ptolemy in Egypt. Perdikkas' death marked the beginning of the wars of the Diadochs.

AR Drachm (4.24 g, 16mm, 3).

      Mint: Susa.
      Struck: Circa 325-320 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, monogram
                above bee; XAB monogram below throne.
      Ref: Cf. Price 3840 (tetradrachm).
      Pedig: 2005 Commerce Hoard.

Notes: Susa, a major Persian city and imperial residence, was captured by Alexander in December, 331 BC. The easternmost of Alexander's mint, coinage apparently began there shortly before Alexander's death. However, no detailed study has ever been done of the pre-Seleukid coinage of Susa, and the order and attribution of these issues is tentative. Price saw a strong stylistic similarity of these earliest issues with a series at Babylon, and has speculated that either could be reattributed to the other mint.

PHILIP III Arrhidaios
323-317 BC

AR Drachm (4.26 g, 15mm, 3).

      Mint: Babylon.
      Struck: 323-317 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; M in left field
      Ref: Cf. Price P184 (tetradrachm).
      Pedig: 2005 Commerce Hoard.

Notes: Although unrecorded thus far, this drachm is from a very large issue, with known denominations of tetradrachms, hemidrachms, and obols. Thus the appearance of a drachm from this issue is not surprising.

AR Drachm (3.81 g, 16mm, 10).

      Mint: Susa.
      Struck: 323-317 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟ[Υ]
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; ΛA below throne
      Ref: Price P209.
      Pedig: 2005 Commerce Hoard.

Notes: Unlike the early Susa issues in the name of Alexander, those in the name of Philip III are more certain in their attribution to this mint. Philip's issues all have a close stylistic similarity to the following series of 316-311 BC, which are certainly of Susa due to the presence of the name Aspesias on one issue. Aspesias was the satrap of Susiana appointed by Antigonos I Monophthalmos in 316 BC, and the issues of his satrapy are connected with the subsequent Seleukid series at Susa.

AR Drachm (4.27 g, 15mm, 3).

      Mint: Ekbatana(?).
      Struck: 323-317 BC.
      Obv: [no legend]
                Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
      Rev: [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟ[Υ]
                Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; Δ in left field,
                ZΩ below throne.
      Ref: Price P222.
      Pedig: 2005 Commerce Hoard.

Notes: As with most of the eastern Alexandrine mints, there has been little study of the pre-Seleukid issues at Ekbatana. Unlike the other mints, though, only three issues are possible for the pre-Seleukid coinage at Ekbatana: Price 3956, P221, and P222. The style and hoard context of these coins make their placement at an eastern mint certain, but their attribution to Ekbatana is not firm. Price sees a connection of the Zo- of these issues and the Zod- of the Seleukid issues, but this has not been proven, and is a bit speculative. Interestingly, though Alexander placed his treasury at Ekbatana, no coins are known to even possibly belong there during his lifetime. Therefore, if the placement of these Zo- issues are confirmed to belong at Ekbatana, they would be the earliest Alexandrine coinage there.