During the Cretan war of 205 to 200 BC, Rhodian commanders struck and issued Rhodian-type coins on Crete. Later on in ca. 200-185 BC, local Cretan emission struck in imitation of Rhodian coinage. Rhodian coinage was therefore an entrusted currency on Crete in the beginning of the 2nd century BC. Two decades later in Macedon, 179 BC, the ambitious Perseus, son of king Philip V of Macedon stirred anti-Roman feelings around Macedonia. Tensions escalated and Rome declared war on Macedon. This war is referred to as the Third Macedonian war and the first battle happened at 171 BC near a hill called Callinicus, close to the Roman camp at Tripolis Larisaia, five kilometres north of Larissa (the capital of Thessaly). In both the Macedonian and Roman army there were always a considerable amount of allied and mercenary infantry and auxiliary troops. One of those mercenary troops were Cretan archers, they are well known for their outstanding archery skills and were valued in any army. These Cretan mercenaries had to be paid, however they wanted a currency that they trusted and were familiar with. The previous mentioned Rhodian coinage circulating on Crete, where familiar and trusted currency for the Cretans and it is likely that they would have required payment in that form. Therefore Rhodian-type coins were struck by Perseus to pay Cretan mercenaries serving in his army. Kings of Macedon. temp. Perseus. 179-168 BC. AR Drachm. Third Macedonian War issue. Magistrate Hermias, Uncertain mint in Thessaly (Struck circa 171/0 B.C). Obverse: Head of Helios facing slightly right. Reverse: Rose with bud to right; EPMIAΣ above, Z-Ω flanking stem. Reference: Price, Larissa, pl. LV, 247; SNG Keckman 795. 2.67g; 17mm. Lately I have seen a lot of these issues on the market, some quite pricy, but this coin definitely has a very attractive iridescent tone that I could not resist. Please also post your coins of the Third Macedonian War, coins of Perseus and other Rhodian imitations!
What a beautifull coin, congrats Pavlos. Here's a Tet struck under both Philip V and his son Perseus.
Great and sharp tetradrachm! Thank you! Yes the iridescent toning is what convinced me for getting the coin
I'm sure you have seen this before, but I picked it up from @lordmarcovan in his recent downsizing before upsizing again. I really liked the look of it for a long time and was thrilled to get it. I could see myself adding another at some point because it's such a cool piece. I almost bought the one in the most recent Kunker auction but had to refrain due to recent overspending.
It was tempting to watch this lot sell though! It only brought about 475 USD after premium. I thought that was a pretty decent price for this coin.
Fun write up on a crazy period in ancient history...but what time wasn't? That coin though I think I'm in love with another man's coin?! Here's a few of mine: Philip V and Perseus. Ca. 221-168 B.C.E Macedonian Kingdom. AE unit (17.1 mm, 6.07 g, 12 h). Uncertain Macedonian mint. Macedonian shield, star with spiral arms/swastika in center boss / M-K, ΔONΩN, Macedonian helmet with cheek guards, BA monogram below. SNG Alpha Bank -; SNG Cop -; McClean 3666. VF. Rare. Philip V Æ Unit. Circa 211-197 BCE Head of Zeus r., wearing wreath of oak leaves / Athena standing r., holding spear and shield; in r. field, thunderbolt. Mamroth, Bronzemünzen 11a; SNG Alpha Bank 1075. 3.46g, 16mm, 4h. Good Very Fine, chocolate brown patina. Here's one from much later CARIA. Rhodes. Drachm (Circa 88-84 BC). Kallixeinos, magistrate.Obv: Radiate head of Helios right.Rev: KAΛΛΙΞΕΙΝ / P - O. Rose with bud right. Control:kerykeion.Jenkins,GroupE, 244.Condition:Very fine.Weight:1.68 g.Diameter: 14 mm. nearly very fine
Interesting writeup and gorgeous coin, Pavlos. My Third Macedonian War issue, also struck in Thessaly. THESSALY, Thessalian League AE Chalkous. 3.55g, 15.2mm. THESSALY, Thessalian League, circa 170 BC. Warren, “Two Notes on Thessalian Coins,” NC 1961, pl. I, 11; Rogers 4 var. (arrangement of ethnic); BCD Thessaly II 24.2 var. (same); HGC 4, 236. O: Macedonian shield with star in center. R: ΘEΣΣA ΛΩN around from upper left, dart–sling (κεστροσφενδóνη) with dart inside. Ex BCD Collection From CNG's description : The Kestrosphendone - Secret Weapon of the Third Macedonian War "While Rogers thought that the object on the reverse of this coin was a lyre, Jennifer Warren has argued that it represents a powerful new weapon – the dart sling, or κεστροσφενδόνη – first introduced during the Third Macedonian War between Rome and Perseus of Macedon. The weapon is described by the Achaean Polybius (xxvii, 9), who was taken to Rome as a prisoner following the war: “The form of the dart was as follows. It was two palms long, the tube being of the same length as the point. Into the former was fitted a wooden shaft a span in length a finger’s breadth in thickness. Into the middle of this were wedged three quite short wooden wings. The two thongs of the sling were unequal in length, and the missile was so fitted into the center of the sling that it was easily freed. While the thongs were whirled round and taut, it remained fixed there, but when at the moment of the discharge one of the thongs was released, it left the loop and was shot like a leaden bullet from the sling.” Livy (xlii, 65, 9-10) adds that: “They (the Roman army) suffered particularly from the dart-slings.” The Macedonian shield supports a connection to Perseus, and Warren offers a compelling insight on the reverse design: “On this Thessalian issue the kestrosphendone would be as apposite as the harpa, the special weapon of his hero namesake, on the reverse of Perseus’ similar Macedonian copper coins.” This type (cf. SNG Alpha Bank 1147–8) also carries a Macedonian shield on the obverse."
@Pavlos, an interesting post and a beautiful coin - here's my Rhodian drachm which I know very little about, and has clearly seen more use and abuse than the stunning ones shown by you and @kazuma78 Rhodian Mercenaries of Thessaly AR Drachm circa 172-168 BC Obv: Head of Helios facing slightly right Rev: ΣTAΣIΩN, Rose, bow and club to left Size: 2.51g and 15.2mm
Gorgeous coin and nice write-up @Pavlos ! Perseus and Philip V of Makedon Makedon Philip V AE17 3.7g 221-179 BCE Perseus Hd R helmet w winged vulture - Horse rearing R SNG Cop 1239 Makedon Perseus 178-168 BC AE 23 Poseidon Club Makedon Amphipolis Philip V - Perseus - lost empire to Romans - helmet Tetrobol RUB-IT-IN Coins: RR T Quinctius Flamininus 126 BC AR Den Roma Diosc / T-Q, galloping over Macedon Shield S 143 Cr 267-1 RR Aemilius Lepidus Paullus 62 BCE Concordia Perseus Macedon captive Sear 366 Craw 415-1 STRUCK During the 3rd Mak War: RR AE As P.CORNELIUS P.F. BLASIO BCE 169-158 35mm 42.5g S 703 Syd 370 Cr 189-1 RR Furius Purpurio 169-157 BCE Roma Luna Biga Linear Frame murex shell Cr 187-1 OCCUPATION: RR Prv Macedon Province 168-166 BCE Tamios Quaestor Athena Cow - Eeyore RR Roman Occupied Macedonia Gaius Publilius, Questor Amphipolis Mint As AE26 As ROMA Griffin MAKEDONWN TAMIOV GAIOV POPAILIOV oak wreath BC 148-146 SNG COP 1318 RR Prv Macedon Amphipolis AE Semis 187-131 BC Zeus Prow giraffe shape SNG Cop 69
Nice set @Alegandron, I can't resist piling on to the "Rub it in" category : Lucius Aemilius Lepidus Paullus, 63/62 BC, honoring his namesake and relative , Lucius Aemelius Paullus Macedonia and his third (TERtius) triumph: for the defeat of King Perseus of Macedon in 168 BC in the Battle of Pydna. Obv: Diademed, veiled head right of Concordia, PAVLLVS LEPIDVS CONCORD Rev: Trophy, TER above, L. Aemilius Paullus to right, captives Perseus and his sons to the left, PAVLLVS in exergue
That is what makes history so interesting and astonishing all those crazy people and periods! Also, nice coins! Wow! what a special coin, I have not seen that coin type before, let alone dart slingers. A rare coin and a rare weapon. That is still a very nice coin with an interesting historical background! Great series of coins, so many interesting coins, would love to have some of these coins types in the future. Thank you for sharing everybody!
