Philip III Arrhidaios Drachm - Need Some Help with Symbols

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Marsyas Mike, Nov 13, 2018.

  1. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    I recently got a Philip III Arrhidaios drachm and after looking at hundreds of online examples (including Alexander the Great and also tetradrachms) I cannot figure it out. The reverse symbols are puzzling - I can find all three of them, but not all together on one coin like this. Compounding the problem, I am not sure I am interpreting them correctly:

    Left Field: Phi (possibly a torch, commonly found on these?)
    Right Field: Club (Or horse leg? Or torch?)
    Under throne: Rudder? Knife?

    The club is found on issues from Sardes, the phi from Kolophon, the rudder from Salamis. Maybe it is a fake? Any help greatly appreciated.

    Macedonia Philip III Drachm Nov 2018 (0).jpg

    Macedonia Kingdom Drachm
    Philip III Arrhidaios
    (c. 323-319 B.C.)
    Thrace-Kolophon mint Sardes?

    Head of Herakles right, wearing
    lion-skin / FILIPPOU, Zeus
    seated left, right leg drawn back,
    holding eagle & scepter, F left,
    club (?) rt., knife (rudder?) under throne.
    Unattributed
    (3.99 grams / 17 mm)
     
    Bing likes this.
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