Thrilled to finally be able to show off my latest coin acquisition. A coin of one of the Persian Satraps under Darius III by the name of Spithridates. Spithridates met a most ignoble end when in the early fighting of the battle of the Granicus River, the first major engagement between Alexander’s Macedonians and the Persians. Alexander, known for leading in the front and always charging into where the fighting was thickest, had just run one of Spithridates brother/comrades through when the would-be assassin of the greatest conquer the world would know, made his move. From Arrian: “Then Rhoesaces, in the heat of fury, came at Alexander, struck at his head with his sword carrying away part of his helmet, causing a slight wound. Him (Alexander) perceiving it, thrust his lance through his (Rhoesaces) breast plate, into his body, killing him. And then Spithridates, coming from behind Alexander, already had his sword lifted up to kill him. But Clietus (The Black) son of Dropidas prevented him. For with one stroke of his sword disabled his arm and his sword fell to the ground.” Spithridates would then die in the action or from the wound. Talk about some Hollywood ish action right there. Sword raised, ready to come down on the Hellenistic age itself! (Spithridates sneaking up behind Alexander to stab him in the back and avenge his brother) In possibly the most bizarre and dishonorable moments of an honorable and bizarre life, Alexander, during a drunken squabble, would throw a spear through and kill Clietus the Black. (Clietus should’ve listened to Ptolemy, whom moments before had whisked him away fearing catastrophe) All that said, the coin itself is about the size, artistic merit and quality that you’d expect of a Persian Satrap. But that it and the incredible story it reminds us of exists at all is a rare treat passed down from the ages. It’s surely one of my favorites to tell after a couple beverages. Anywho, thanks for reading. Oh yeah, here’s the coin: Spithridates Satraps of Lycia & Ionia 334 BC, AE10 1.05g Head of Spithridates right, wearing a Persian headress Forepart of a horse right, monogram above SNG Cop 1538 Ex: Aegean Numismatics Killed by Cleitus the Black while attempting to kill Alexander the Great. A few other nonfriends: Here’s coins of the last empire and possibly ruler whom ATG defeated twice in battle but was robbed of the chance slay or forgive, Darius III: Cassander, Son of Antipater, so you’d think was a buddy, would ultimately wait until Alexander IV (ATG’s son) would come of age before killing him to take over Macedon unopposed #jerkmove: Kassander 316-297 BCE Æ (18.08 mm, 5.23 g). Pella or Amphipolis. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress / ΒΑ[ΣΙΛΕΩΣ] ΚΑΣΣΑΝ-ΔΡΟΥ, youth on horseback right, extending arm in salute; above, T; before, star; below, monogram. SNG Alpha Bank 917. Dark glossy green patina. Very fine Cassander 311-297 BCE AE (15 MM2, 12g). ca. 306-297 BC MZST. Unknown in Macedonia. vs.: Head of Heracles in the Lion Scalp N. R. Rs.: BAΣIΛEΩΣ/KAΣΣANΔΡOΥ, Lion N. L., including Monogram. SNG cop. 1154 R!Former SAVOCA coin I love stories of Alexander the Great. Please share your stories, coins of his, his enemies and anything else deemed GREAT!
I want a coin with Bucephalus. For now, let's enjoy the famed mosaic of Alexander...yeah, I'm coming to get you buddy! and Darius, with the furtive look (Uh-oh!) From the house of the Faun, Pompeii
I LOVE both the valiant image of ATG and the proximity to D3s face to the horses arse sooooo much! One day I’ll go see it in person... coin with Bucephalus (means Ox head) you say? MACEDON, Koinon of Macedon: Pseudo-autonomous issue, time of Gordian III (238-244). Beroea mint. 9.4gr, 25mm. Obv: AΛΕΧΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Head of Alexander the Great right, wearing crested Attic helmet with griffin on the bowl Rev: KOINON MAKEΔONΩN B NЄΩΚ ΟΡ, Warrior right on horseback right (presumed to be Alexander on Bucephalus); star below. Cf. AMNG III 770. Scarce. Alexander’s name clear. Ex: AMCC 2 consigned by tenbobbit Koinon of Macedon. Pseudo-autonomous issue circa AD 200-300. Bronze Æ Obverse: diademed bust of Alexander the great right Reverse: horseman galloping (Alexander and Bucephalus) 25mm., 11,48g. nearly very fine MACEDON. Koinon Pseudo-autonomous. Time of Gordian III (238-244). Ae.Obv: ΑΛЄZΑΝΔΡΟV. Head of Alexander the Great right (as Hercules), wearing lion skin.Rev: KOINON MAKЄΔONΩN NЄΩ. Alexander on his horse, Bucephalus, galloping right. AMNG III 734. Very fine. 11.9 g.24 mm. Fomer SAVOCA coin
@Bing what a perfect example of howa well used (trolip) coin can be more appealing than one looking fresh off the mint (prude). Here’s some of my slutty ATGs:
Remaster of that famous pic Seen on https://www.bing.com/images/search?...dindex=4&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=0,1,2,3,4,6,8,10
Excellent writeup and august coin, @Ryro ! You finally found one! Congrats. mine: This is the Satrap that ALMOST killed Alexander III of Makedon (later the Great) at the Battle of Granicus. Instead Cleitus lopped off his arm just as Spithradates was lowering his scimitar onto Alexander: Persia Spithridates Achaemenid satrap of Sparda-Lydia and Ionia- 334 BCE AE10 1.20g wearing Persian headdress - Forepart galloping horse r Klein 367, SNG Cop 1538
End of a Great Empire, Dawn of the Greek Empire (s) This would be the LAST of the Achaemenid series of Siglos: Persia Achamenid Type IV Artaxerxes II to Daris III 375-336 BCE AR siglos 15.2mm 5.45g running stance r daggar bow incuse BMC 172ff rev
Ahhhh, it’s the dagger that rounds out these ultra fun coins. Could swear i have one but couldn’t find a pic... I wonder how in the world they got these things in Chronological order. I assume they have similar find sites, imagery is always close lots of CMs SANs reverse. Very interesting omphalos on yours reverse Edit: derp, it’s my first coin with bow and dagger that I thought to have been minted, possibly, under Darius III
MACEDON. Koinon. Pseudo-autonomous. Time of Gordian III (238-244 AD). Æ (28mm, 13.79 gm, 12h). Obv: AΛEΞANΔPOY. Diademed head of Alexander right; lightning bolt ("blitz") below neck on right. Rev: KOINON MAKEΔONΩN B NE - Ω below E, Alexander standing on left, placing harness on Bucephalus rearing on right. AMNG III 557
Alexander taming Bucephalus! Now that coin right thar is a highly desirable, well centered, beautiful portrait, lovely patination with such a wonderful story behind it. Berry jelly. Here’s my best Roman portrait of him
