Here's a Philip V AE17 apparently unpublished with an Aegis shield. Macedonian Kingdom, Philip V, 221 - 179 B.C. Bronze AE 17 Obverse laureate head of Zeus right; reverse B-A / Φ, Athena Alkidemos standing right, brandishing javelin in right, aegis in left hand with head of Medusa, dolphin lower right. SNG Cop 1244-1246var. "It's a rendering of the Classical (not the traditional Archaic) more romantic Medusa. For the type see the Rondanini Medusa in the Glyptothek in Munich. Considering that it's a detail of a 17mm coin, it's remarkably good, even suggesting the foreshortened knotted snakes that frame her chin. All other things being equal, a Medusa gorgoneion is Athena's most usual episematic device, since it belongs to the aegis. Actually, it needn't be specifically the Medusa of the Perseus myth, but a lot of books call any gorgon 'Medusa'." -Patrica Lawrence.
Thanks Bing! These are pretty comon and generally in poor condition. Here is an image of the Rondanini Medusa.
I'd be surprised if the Rondanini Medusa didn't serve as the model for the Medusa on this Cossutius Sabula denarius. There's less resemblance on this Seleukos I bronze, but it's still clearly the 'beautiful Medusa' version.
the face on that shield is pretty awesome! i have a rough philip v (maybe perseus?)....but no gorgon.
Cool OP-addition, ancientone I have a couple of Phil-V examples ... wanna see 'em? Philip V, AE20 Date: 221-179 BC Diameter: 20.5 mm Weight: 7.1 grams Obverse: Head of Herakles covered with lion's skin Reverse: Two goats kneeling References: SNG Copenhagen 1250 KINGS of MACEDON. Philip V, Æ22 Uncertain mint in Macedon. Struck circa 183/2-179 BC 221-179 BC Diameter: 22 mm Weight: 6.63 grams Obverse: Bearded head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin Reverse: Harpa; ΔΙ monogram above; all within wreath Reerence: Mamroth, Bronzemünzen 25a; SNG Alpha Bank 1116-9; SNG München 1186-1189. Other: 9h ... sweet dark brown patina Man, a harpa is a pretty cool weapon, eh?
Cool and interesting posts guys!! My collection seems to drop off at Philip II and resumes again with Phil the Arab
