Kings of Paeonia, Patraos (335-315 BC), silver tetradrachm, Astibos or Damastion mint, 24mm, 11.93g Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo r. Reverse: Mounted warrior spearing fallen enemy who defends with shield, Greek PATRAOU around, monogram to l. Reference: Paeonian Hoard 168/169 (same dies); HGC 3.1, 148 Grading: AVF / VF+ , bit irregular flan, obv. o/c, light toning Comment: Ex - W. H. Guertin collection. Once again it is dangerous going through old threads , I ran into one that prompted me to find an affordable example of one of these silver tetradrachm's , the obverse is obviously very off center and truthfully I bought it for the reverse, large thick silver coin a dramatic classical image. Please post any other examples of Paeonian coinage.
Great coin @BenSi! I am not really familiar with Paeonian coinage but did came across coins of Patraos a few times at auctions. The only history part that I know is that Philip II campaigned against them and conquered south of Paeonia around 355 BC. So I am not surprised the Paeonians slowly got Hellenized afterwards and started to issue coins of Macedonian iconography, just like yours. Philip II (359-336 BC). AR Fifth Tetradrachm. Posthumous issue by Philip III Arrhidaios (323-317 BC) in the types of Philip II. Amphipolis mint. Struck under Polyperchon, circa 318-317 BC. Obverse: Head of Apollo right, wearing tainia. Reverse: ΦIΛIΠΠOY, Horseman riding right; monogram below. Reference: Le Rider pl. 45, 7-9; Troxell, Studies, Group 7, 366-8; SNG ANS 650
I agree those are hard to find with two sides nice. I bought mine for the reverse. While my obverse is terrible, I prefer the coin to mint state examples that lose the legends and victim on the reverse. I don't think I would be completely happy with 90% of the coins that left that mint mostly due to centering. I do need another one with a decent obverse.
Kindom of Paeonia, Patraos, Tetradrachm Obv:– Laureate head of Apollo right with short hair right. Rev:– PATRAOU, armed warrior on horse prancing right, spearing fallen enemy who holds spear and shield, EM monogram in left field Minted in Kindom of Paeonia, Patraos from . B.C. 335 - 315. Ref:– SNG Oxford 3359 (different dies) 12.646g, 27.5mm, 90 degrees Ex-Forum Obverse struck off centre. This obverse was struck with a well executed die engraved in an attractive classical style.
I also bought mine for the reverse (not that anything is bad with the obverse). But the reverse is struck in very high relief and if I am not mistaken one can identify the horse as a mare, which would for those living back then perhaps help identify the warrior as a contemporary or historical king of Paeonia.
Here is another. This is one of my absolutely favorite coins. KINGS OF PAIONIA. Patraos, 335-315 B.C. Tetradrachm. Laureate head of Apollo r. Rv. Warrior on horseback r. spearing fallen enemy, rare type with bearded rider, Π-AT-[PO-Y] above. 12.53 grams. Paeonian Hoard 140 (same dies). Unusually fine style. Description and image courtesy Stacks.