Hello everyone, As part of my "Philip II, Alexander III, and the Era of the Diadochi" collection, I've been after a coin for Alexander V and Antipater I. The problem is I've run into some circles trying to identify which coins (if any) they minted. Since I'm at a dead end, I thought I'd ask the experts. The first stop for Alexander V coinage I checked was Wildwinds. They list three bronzes: Imhoof GRM 2, Laffaille 318, and Mionnet I, 821. However, on further inspection, Imhoof GRM 2 and Mionnet I, 821 appear to be the same coin. Not only that, but this looks to be the same as Price 2131. The Price coin is listed as Miletos 323-319 BCE, which most auction houses seem to agree with. I looked further into Price 2131, and found that the symbols and mint marks on 2131 are in line with other coins from this area around this period. Since Alexander V and Antipater I co-ruled Macedonia from 297-275 BCE (roughly), I'm not seeing how this could be attributed to them. That leaves the Laffaille coin, which as far as I found is represented by a single copy sold by CGB. I could find no resources defining why Laffaille believed this coin to have been minted by Alexander V. Also, given apparent misattributions with the other two coins, I suspect this one. So, I took a different avenue. I've found Mathisen to be a good source for later Macedonian Alexander coinage (my Ptolemy Keraunos tet was attributed by CNG through him), but he starts with Demetrios I Poliorketes taking the throne in 288 BCE. However, in his footnotes, he references two papers by Ehrhardt regarding earlier coinage. In Ehrhard's first article, The Coins of Cassander, he says this: These latter cannot be earlier than 305, nor later than Cassander’s death, for his sons struck coins with their own names and types; Well, that's interesting. Kassander had three sons: Philip IV, who ruled first and lasted 4 months before dying of wasting disease Antipater I, who co-ruled with Alexander V before throwing him out Alexander V, who ruled with Antipater I before being tossed out, then was reinstated before Demetrios murdered him However, I can find no mention of issues from any of his sons in their own types. The article seems to infer that everyone should know what these issues are, but I don't. I moved to the second article, A Catalog of Issues of Tetradrachms from Amphipolis. This at first provided exactly what I was looking for. Group VIII (297-294 B.C.) 61. In 1. field, star over obelisk over X: under throne, wreath. M. 642; *SNG Copenh. 706. 5 spec.; 5 obyv.; 5 rev.; linked w. 61a. 6la.In |. field, obelisk over star over X; under throne, wreath. J spec.; 1 oby.; 1 rev.; linked w. 61. (further listings removed for brevity) Great! So these coins can be attributed to Kassander's sons! Easy peasy, or is it? Hey, wait a minute. I recognize these coins. This is the Uranopolis mint. A tet from Uranopolis is in my "Stage 3" list, so I certainly wouldn't mind moving it up. But Ehrhardt is attributing it to Amphipolis. Pretty much every auction house today attributes them to Uranopolis. It makes sense, because the star matches those on the well-known Uranopolis bronzes, and the pillar resembles Mt Athos. The auction houses also agree with the current dates in Pella of 300-290 BCE. So, is this like some of my other coins, where there's an overlap and I'll never truly know whether it's a 100% attribution? I considered doing that, but decided to investigate the Uranopolis issue more. Although I can no longer find the articles, the following is a summary of my research: Starting the Uranopolis coinage at 300 BCE is really just a guess. It could have occurred as early as 305 BCE. It's likely that coinage at Uranopolis stopped in 297 BCE, since Alexarchos no longer had the military backing of Kassander for his utopian society. Did Kassander's sons allow the "Uranopolis experiment" to continue? What data we have left about the city indicates it didn't last for long, so the presumption is no. Therefore, I believe the Uranopolis mint is a very weak attribution for Kassander's sons. What does seem clear, however, is that there's widespread numismatic belief that they did mint coins, but I haven't been able to find any decent attribution. Would anyone have any tips or know of specific coins? I'd hate to cross off Kassanders sons from my list simply because I can't find a single coin that can with some probability be assigned to them. For example, Molossi bronzes range from 360 - 325 BCE, only 6 years of which were ruled by Kleopatra. If the coins were minted in equal proportions each year (which they weren't) then that gives only a 17% chance of being hers. Similarly, my Ptolemy Epigonos bronze is attributed to 246-221 BCE, but Ptolemy Epigonos died in 240 BCE, so there's only a 24% chance it's his (note: there are coins that are 100% attributable, but I've found no evidence any are in private hands). So, I'm willing to have a partially attributable coin, but I've yet to find one anywhere realistic.
Sure! Here are the two Kassander issues I have. The first I attributed to his brother Pleistarchos. Even better, I believe I located and procured a coin of Philip IV! I won't say much more until I have the coin in hand, but from some research I believe that most of the coins listed at auction for Philip IV aren't his, and that mine was misattributed to Philip II but is actually Philip IV. I'm also wondering if this coin may help me locate an Alexander V, since the mint mark could be the same. One thing I wonder: why are scholar so sure Kassander's coinage ended at his death in 297 BCE? Since Antipater I and Alexander V were co-rulers, wouldn't it kind of piss Antipater off to put "Alexander" on the coins? "Philip" would also be awkward, since that was their brother's name. If I were them, I would just keep minting their fathers' bronzes.
From the lack of replies, I gather there's not a lot of interest, but I read through the first Ehrhard article above, as well as this one, and I have a theory. First of all, I learned that Kassander's wife Thessalonica (also Alexander III's sister) divided Macedonia between Alexander V and Antipater I. The kingdom was originally taken by Philip IV, but he died after 4 months. He does appear to have minted coins in his own name though. After the king was divided, Antipater went after Alexander V, who was forced to request help from Pyrrhos and Demetrios. Pyrrhos arrived first and chased Antipater, along with his wife Eurydike, back to Eurydike's father Lysimachos. Demetrios then arrived late and killed Alexander V. Antipater I was later executed by Lysimachos. That's the history. The following are some numismatic facts. There's no known coin with Antipater's name on it. Maybe Alexander V minted coins with his name, and it would be difficult for us to know for sure because four other Alexanders minted similar ones. The Valassiadis article above strongly believes the Kassander Apollo/tripod and horse/rider coins were issued roughly at the same time from different mints. Those Kassander coins marked "basileus" could not have been minted before 305 BCE, when Kassander declared himself king. It's unknown when he started minting coins in general, but 311 BCE is thought to be the most likely. There are far more variants of coins issued with "basileus" than without. My theory is therefore the following: Kassander coinage didn't stop minting on his death in 298 BCE. Neither Antipater I nor Alexander V minted coins in their own names. They both continued issues from their father, one issuing Apollo/tripods and the other horse/riders. Unfortunately, even if this theory is true, it leaves open the following questions: Who took which mint? In other words, who took which part of Macedonia? I suspect this information is out there somewhere. Which mint marks are theirs? I'm not sure if there is a way to determine this. It would require at the minimum die matching and enough samples to put them in order. From reading, there aren't many hoards to help here. Does anyone here think this theory is likely? Is there some current scholar on Macedonian bronze coinage that I could email to see how plausible it is? If this may be true, then I already have an Apollo/tripod coin (above). I would just need a horse/rider and lion (because these were 100% Kassander), and luckily both types are common. The attributions for Antipater I and Alexander V would be shaky (27%), but I have coins with lower odds.
Nice write up and thanks for doing it. I guess Antipater 1 is a coin I will not get. I want to do the successors of Alexander’s realm as well. The main ones…
Thanks Mammothtooth. Generally, the following five are the ones most go after. They're the easiest to identify since they minted coins in their own names, and all were important players. Seleukos I Nikator Kassander Lysimachos Demetrios I Poliorketes Ptolemy I Soter Of course, this isn't even all the major players. For example, both Antipater and Antigonos I Monophthalmos issued coins, but not in their own names. My current list includes the following: 1) Those who fought against Philip II 2) Anyone who had direct contact with Alexander III 3) Anyone who dealt with at least two of the "major players" after Alexander III I've currently identified 97 people that meet the above, 83 of which I've acquired. I'm starting to think it would have been a lot easier to just collect all the Roman emperors...
I should also note that, after further research, though my theory above about the end of Kassander's coinage may be true, I have to discount it since I have no way to prove it, and every auction house and scholar currently agrees that it ended with his death. I'm also unsure whether Antipater I minted any coins. When Philip IV died, Antipater I was eldest and should have received Macedonia, but their mother Thessalonike (sister to Alexander III) sided with Alexander V. This royally pissed Antipater off, so he murdered her (differing accounts on whether this was immediate or after a year or two). There was a civil war, which Alexander V won, but he felt his situation precarious enough that he asks for help from Demetrios. Antipater, for his part, requested assistance from Lysimachos. Both Demetrios and Lysimachos wound up killing the one who asked for their help. Therefore, it's uncertain whether Antipater ever had the authority and/or time to mint his own coins. Since Philip IV and Alexander V both minted in their own names, and coins with "Ant" or "Antipater" have never been found, I'm assuming no. I do believe the following though: The "axe" coinage (uses a double-axe as a mint mark) was issued neither during the time of Philip IV nor Alexander V. They belong to much earlier issues from Lydia/Caria. Usually they're attributed as such, but are occasionally misattributed. Coinage from Alexander V and Philip IV exists. My Philip IV has shipped, while I now believe that Laffaille 318 is Alexander V. I know of two copies - one in unknown private hands and one at Yale. I believe there are more.
Your post is a very interesting read even if there is nothing I can add! I’m sure this is the reason for few responses, you’re researching territory where few specialize. While I can’t add any information or insights, I will add my Kassander! Kingdom of Macedonia Kassander 305-298 BC. Amphipolis or Pella mint Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing lionskin headdress Reverse: BAΣIΛEΩΣ KAΣΣANΔΡOY above and beneath, Horseman riding right, right arm raised, Λ in right field, thunderbolt beneath horse. SNG Alpha Bank 933-934.
1st- LOVED reading your hypothesis and always love seeing your coins. As you know this is right up my collecting alley and I apologize for not responding sooner. 2nd- I found 1 Laffaille 318 on AC search But it was sold in MONNAIES 49 back in 2011. So there's more out there. 3rd- KATERINI LIAMPI who wrote the book on MSCs („Zur Chronologie der sogenannten ‚anonymen’ makedonischen Münzen) or at least the most well put together report on them to date. In it she states (translated from German) "In short, W. Weiser [13], argues that we have our Coin No. 1 should be attributed to Alexander V (294 BCE), the son of Kassander. Closely related to this piece, in his opinion, are also the following features: 1) The coins with lightning on the shield as well as various monograms and symbols on the lapel (eg Group 1, No. 2 ff.). He dates these pieces after the death of Alexander V and before the enthronement of the Demetrios Poliorketes (294 BC)." Here the first page of plates. She is saying that Weiser believes the first coin is Alexander V: I believe coin 1, despite being in poor condition, is with the lightening boss, the helmet is sans the usual bushel on top and lacks the BA on the reverse. Here are my closest two: Alexander III – Kassander Circa 325-310 BC. Æ Unit (15.5mm, 4.28 g). Uncertain mint in Macedon. Macedonian shield; boss with thunderbolt flanked by dots / Macedonian helmet; monogram below. Price 413 var. (monogram). Near VF, dark green patina And a few of my Kassanders (dirt bag): Kassander 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 Kassander 305-298 BCE AE 20 Uncertain Macedonian mint. laureate head of Apollo right ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΚΑΣΣΑΝΔΡΟΥ, legend vertically downwards to right and left of tripod; to left, A (tipped ccw), to right, kerykion. SNG Alpha Bank 895-6; SNG München 1030. VF, dark green patina 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. "Kassander is first recorded as arriving at Alexander the Great’s court in Babylon in 323 BC, where he had been sent by his father, Antipater, likely to the help uphold Antipater’s regency in Macedon, although a later contemporary suggestion hostile to the Antipatrids was that Kassander had journeyed to poison the King.Whatever the truth of this suggestion, Kassander certainly proved to be singularly noted amongst the diadochi in his hostility to Alexander‘s memory. Alexander IV, Roxana, and Alexander’s supposed illegitimate son Heracles would all be executed on his orders, and a guarantee to Olympias to spare her life was not respected. So too, Kassander would restore Thebes, which had been destroyed under Alexander. This gesture was perceived at the time to be a snub to the deceased King.It was even said that he could not pass a statue of Alexander without feeling faint. Kassander has been perceived to be ambitious and unscrupulous, and even members of his own family were estranged from him. He was taught by philosopher Aristotle at the Lyceum in Greece.As Antipater grew close to death in 319 BC, he transferred the regency of Macedon not to Kassander, but to Polyperchon, possibly so as not to alarm the other diadochi through an apparent move towards dynastic ambition, but perhaps also because of Kassander’s own ambitions. Kassander rejected his father’s decision, and immediately went to court Antigonus, Ptolemy and Lysimachus as allies. Waging war on Polyperchon, Kassander would destroy his fleet, put Athens under the control of Demetrius of Phaleron, and declare himself Regent in 317 BC. After Olympias’ successful move against Philip III later in the year, Kassander would besiege her in Pydna. When the city fell two years later, Olympias was killed, and Kassander would have Alexander IV and Roxanne confined at Amphipolis.Kassander associated himself with the Argead dynasty by marrying Alexander’s half-sister, Thessalonica, and had Alexander IV and Roxanne executed in either 310 BC or the following year. Certainly, in 309, Polyperchon would begin forwarding the claims of Heracles as the true heir to the Macedonian inheritance, at which point Kassander bribed him to have the boy killed. After this, Kassander’s position in Greece and Macedonia was reasonably secure, and he would proclaim himself King in 305 BC. After the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC, in which Antigonus was killed, he was undisputed in his control of Macedonia. However, he had little time to savour the fact, dying of dropsy in 297 BC." If you do reach out to Liampi or Weiser please let me know what they say!
I don't have anything useful to add to your information or theories but wanted to say congratulations for finding and so deeply exploring an interesting niche!
Yes. That's the one I'm familiar with. Yale also has the same. I suspect with these coins I'll just need to keep a close eye on things. Chances are someone will misattribute it. This is interesting, though it's extremely difficult to make out the details of the small picture. Would you have the reference for Weiser? I wonder if his work is online. I also wonder what led him to this attribution, since these coins are rarely found in hoards. For now, I'll put Alexander V on the back burner. Within the last week, I've purchased (though they're still on the way) the following tough ones: Ptolemy Epigonos. There actually are two coins attributable 100% to him, but I wound up buying CPE 436 (as opposed to CPE 336 and 337), which overlaps six years when he ruled in Telmessos, because I found no examples of the others coming up for sale. Kleopatra of Macedon. She did rule for 6 years in Epirus after her husband died. There are no coins attributable to that exact period, but there are some from 360-325 BCE, and she ruled from 331 BCE. Alexander II. He was Philip II's brother and his bronzes are tough. Philip IV. Already discussed. Skostokos. This is the WildWinds reference (bronze) coin. The auction didn't notice that. I think if I look at another horse/rider coin right now I'm going to puke...
Of course... Last night during my readings, I learned that Eurydike (daughter of Cynane, niece of Alexander III) had effective rule over Amphipolis for a short period of time (weeks or months). Eurydike/Adea is one of the main characters in a novel I'm working on. Having a coin actually attributable to her full rein would be incredible, but I must avoid going down that rabbit hole...
Agree with @Orange Julius and @TIF... please don't assume that a lack of responses is a lack of interest. This is fascinating stuff, but an area I personally am way out of my depth on. Still, it doesn't mean I don't find the tremendous work you have done insightful or informative! I am sure that if I went into similar depth about the Messapian issues of Magna Grecia it would be a similar story. Still, this diversity of research is what we all learn and grow from!
So, I couldn't resist looking some more, and I now have severe doubts on Laffaille 318. This turns out to be exactly the same as Price 372, which is dated 323-317 BCE. There's also a more common and similar coin in Price P2. Though the Price variety is missing the kerykeion, I found a number of specimens with it. Looking at the two coins - they have extremely similar designs. In fact, it almost looks like they're from the same die engraver. However, since Philip IV ruled for 4 months and Alexander V for 3 years, I would expect the Alexander coins to outnumber those from Philip, but the reality is significantly skewed in the reverse - despite the fact that Alexander had a civil war to fund. This indicates to me that the two issues were likely contemporary - and were probably issued for the then (symbolic) co-rulers Philip III and Alexander IV. My feeling is that since Kassander minted his coins with Basileus, his sons would likely do the same. That's the case for my Philip IV coin, so I'm going to use that as a basis for the search for Alexander V. FWIW, my Philip IV appears to be a reverse die match for this coin. I realize that this auction house is a world-leader in numismatic money laundering, but from previous discussions here their coins are genuine.
