Afew weeks ago, I purchased this AE19 of Antigonos II Gonatas on a whim. Its not pretty, but it's from an era of which I have few coins. Plus I got it at a BING price. Antigonus II Gonatas (Greek: Ἀντίγονος B΄ Γονατᾶς) (319–239 BC) was a powerful ruler who solidified the position of the Antigonid dynasty in Macedon after a long period of anarchy and chaos. Antigonus died in 239 BC at the age of 80 and left his kingdom to his son Demetrius II, who reigned for the next 10 years. Except for a short period when he defeated the Gauls, Antigonus was not a heroic or successful military leader. His skills were mainly political. He preferred to rely on cunning, patience, and persistence to achieve his goals. He gained the affection of his subjects through his honesty and his cultivation of the arts, which he accomplished by gathering round him distinguished literary men, in particular philosophers, poets, and historians. A tomb in Vergina is suggested to be his own. MY coin: ANTIGONOS GONATAS, King of Macedonia AE 19 OBVERSE: Head of Athena right in crested Corinthian helmet REVERSE: BA above, ANTI monogram below, Pan advancing right, erecting trophy Struck at Macedonia, 277-239 BC 4.58g, 19mm Lindgren III, 105, Sear #6786 (var) Countermarked on obverse Rare type with the monogram in left field. What it should look like for those of you with less discerning eyes (not mine): Post coins relative or not so relative if you please.
A great type! I have one but its condition is not as good as yours... it's on the upgrade list. The reverse iconography is curious: why Pan erecting a trophy? Pan isn't associated with war. Perhaps these coins refer to his sons who, per the epic poem Dionysiaca, helped Dionysos win the war against the Indians? Antigonos Gonatas must've been a canny leader to have lived so long with so little warfare.
BTW, does anyone recognize the countermark? When I expand the image it looks like a bust facing left with a crown of sorts.
Bing, I find your coin quite appealing and on my NEXT buying spree, I intend to go after a few Greeks---- including related types that you just posted...I still have a few items pending, but most are RR denarii with one remaining 'Greek' lot--- the others (like the gold) I lost on bid. Sorry, can't help you with the countermark.....and the closest related post I have is a bronze of Alexander.
Oops, another 'senior moment' LOL I forgot about these two related types; Philip V and Perseus, and a Danubian Celts Macedonian imitative of Philip, Al's Dad:
no, i was just about to ask "what's the countermark?" it doesn't quite look like it, but look at this one with a cow skull...maybe? http://www.ancientimports.com/cgi-bin/lotinfo.pl?id=30729
Very cool Antigonos Gonatas, Bing ... great eye-appeal Ummm, I don't have daddy, but I've got a pretty sweet example from his baby boy Kings of Macedon, Antigonos II Gonatas 270-240 BC PAN within Shield & Athena with Shield
I have a big book of Greek countermarks - I'll see if I can narrow it down later tonight. As the Macedonian Kingdom receded, many of their coins were countermarked by local governments that didn't have the resources to mint their own specie. That kept the coins in circulation for very long periods, which is why you find so many countermarked Macedonian bronzes in low grades.
Just looking at coins for sell, ran into this... This seller posts the counter mark as head of Zeus!!
@Eng, I have seen that countermarked before, it was described as a Corinthian helmet. My one and only Antigonas Gonata
Hi, Eng => hey, maybe the counterstamp is kinda like this baby? Kings of Numidia Micipsa, AE27 Date: 148-114 BC Size: 26.76mm Weight: 15.2 grams Obverse: Micipsa left Reverse: Horse galloping left., counterstamp head of Ammon left Attribution: SNG Cop 508, Maz 55 Description: A nice bronze with bold and clear counterstamp of the head of Ammon
