While attributing this Greek Drachm I started digging into the significance of some of the symbols on it and discovered an interesting connection. It reminded me how the smallest symbol on an ancient coin can be loaded with meaning and history. Philip III Arrhidaeus AR Drachm, 323 - 317 BC. Abydos mint. Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing a lion's skin. Reverse: ΦIΛIΠΠOΥ, Zeus seated left holding eagle and staff; eight pointed star (Vergina Sun) and MO monogram under throne, horse’s leg to left of throne. References: M. Thompson. Alexander's Mints II: Lampsacus and Abydus. ANSNS 19 (1991), series VIII, 124; Price P18 var; ADM II 114 This drachm was minted for Philip III, Alexander’s older half brother, who was reputed to have been somewhat learning disabled. Looking at the symbols on the coin, I noticed a horse’s leg next to the throne, the mint symbol for Abydos. There is also an MO monogram, which appears on coins from multiple mints, not sure what this means. I also noticed a small 8 pointed star under the throne. A little digging shows this is the “Vergina Sun” or “Argead Star”. This is the royal symbol of the Argead dynasty of Macedon, the dynasty which included Philip II, Alexander III (the Great), and the honoree of the current coin, Philip III. The star is usually shown as a 16, 12, 8 or rarely 6 pointed star with triangle shaped rays. The symbol represents the Sun god (Helios), who was the patron deity of the Argead dynasty based on the legend about Perdiccas I of Macedon as told by Herodotus. Early representations go back to at least the 6th century BC, with hoplites depicted as bearing sixteen-pointed and eight-pointed sunburst symbols on their shields and armor, and the same symbols being represented on coins from both island and mainland Greece from at least the 5th century BC (paraphrased from Wikipedia). There are many interesting uses of the Vergina Sun on ancient art and coins over a long period of time. This 6th century vase from the Vatican museum shows Achilles and Ajax playing a board game. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Akhilleus_Aias_MGEt_16757.jpg The Golden Larnax of Philip II of Macedon has a large Vergina Sun on the top (Archaeological Museum of Vergina). This large golden box is believed to contain the bones of Philip II, found in the small town of Vergina in Macedon. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Image_larnax_of_philip.jpg?download Post your coins with the Vergina Sun, and tell me what “MO” stands for. John
interesting! and a nicely toned coin! I have a philip III drachm, mine has a torch left and a "TI" below...have no idea what they signify. Philip III Ar Drachm 323-317 BC O: Head ofHercules with lion skin, R: Zeus with eagle and scepter, torch in left field, TI below, name of philip right(ΦIΛIΠΠOΥ). 4.29g, 17 mm, Price P99.
Wow, cool lesson. But when I once visited the deep south somewhere, I heard a vergina was something else altogether
nice coin and research! i am going to attribute one of my drachms to Phillip lll..it's very possible both silvers are attributable to someone other than Alexander lll. .. and Mo. is the abbreviation for the state of Missouri...
i love that vase.. i can hear Ajax and Achilles saying.. "comon... lil' skia from Olympiia.. baby needs a new pair of sandals!
Very cool thread and sweet coin(s)!! The monogram, as I understand it, is of the magistrate responsible for the striking of the coin---whoever that was.....
Very nice write up and coin. Great thread on devices! Out of all my Makedonwn coins, I only have ONE Argead Vergina Star! And, it is the reason I captured this coin! Here is Philip III's dad... Makedon Philip II Tet Pella LIFETIME 353-349 Zeus Horse star spearhd Le Rider 102
Cool Philip II tetradrachm, with a ten pointed star! I think that is rather unusual. They are supposed to come in 16, 12, 8 or 6 pointed. I am surprised no one else has any with stars...
KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos II Gonatas. 277/6-239 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31mm, 17.07 g, 11h). Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 274/1-260/55 BC. Horned head of Pan left, lagobolon behind, in the center of a Macedonian shield / Athena Alkidemos, seen from behind, advancing left, shield decorated with aegis on left arm, preparing to cast thunderbolt held aloft in right hand; crested Macedonian helmet to inner left, HP monogram to inner right. Panagopoulou Period II, 2 and 4 thru 8 var. (O2/R unlisted rev. die); Touratsoglou 18 (same obv. die); SNG Copenhagen 1200; Hermitage Sale II 781. EF, lustrous. Well struck from fresh dies. From the Friend of a Scholar Collection, purchased from Maison Platt, September 1980. CNG 100 Lot 1338 Oct 7 2015 Antiogonos Gonatas was the son of Demetrios Poliorketes and grandson of Antigonos Monophthalmos. During the later years of the Diadoch Wars, he participated with his father on campaign in Greece and Macedon. In 288 BC, Demetrios was forced from Macedon by a joint attack by Lysimachos and Pyrrhos. He then took his army east to attack Lysimachos' cities in Asia Minor in 288 BC, leaving Antigonos behind to continue campaigning in Greece. Thus, Antigonos was absent from the field when Demetrios was defeated and captured by Seleukos I later that year. Although he resolved to free his father from captivity, Antigonos was never able to leave his territories in Greece before Demetrios died in 283 BC. Upon his father's death, Antigonos assumed the royal title and resolved to retake the Macedonian throne. Before he was able to invade Macedonia, in 279 BC, a huge wave of Galatians moved into the region from the north, killing Ptolemy Keraunos, the then king of Macedon, and advanced as far south as Delphi, ravaging the countryside and defeating any resistance that was raised against them. In 277 BC, Antigonos took his army north and decisively defeated the Celts in a victory that brought him recognition and acclaim across the Aegaean. Angtigonos was now able to take the empty Macedonian throne. In 274 BC, Pyrrhos invaded and occupied Thessaly and western Macedon, but his death in 272 BC ended this threat to Antigonos' rule. He was able to spend the subsequent few years securing his position before the outbreak of the Chrmonidean War in 267 BC. Up to that time, the Greek cities of Chalkis, Corinth, Demetrias, and Piraios had been long-standing naval bases for the Antigonids, set up duirng the Diadoch Wars by his father, Demetrios. This cities were staunch allies to Antigonos, and were advocates for his foreign policy. Athens and Sparta viewed them as a threat, and joined with other cities and Ptolemy II in an attempt to remove the Macedonian garrisons. The conflict was indecisive until 263 BC, when Antigonos was able to capture Athens, though the war dragged on for another two years. The end of this conflict in 261 marked the end of significant external threats to Antigonos' rule in Macedon. A long time ally of the Seleukids, Antigonos supported Antiochos II in the Second Syrian War against Ptolemy II, and defeated the Egyptian king's navy near Kos in 255 BC. At home, Antigonos did much to restore the kingdom finanacially, culturally, and militarily, resulting in a sort of renaissance that flourished in the newfound stability that Macedon had not enjoyed since the time of Kassander some 40 years earlier. Antigonos died of old age in 239 BC, passing the throne to his son, Demetrios II. Mathisen, in his study of the coinage of Gonatas, contends that the fighting Athena was a traditional symbol of Pyrrhos, Antigonos vanquished enemy, and it was adopted to emphasize the Macedonian kings victory over his Epeirote challenger. Similarly, Mathisen believes Pan symbolizes Antigonos victory over the Gauls, whose invasions had terrorized Macedon and Thrace for decades.
and MACEDON (Roman Protectorate), Republican period. First Meris. Circa 167-149 BC. AR Tetradrachm (32mm, 16.91 g, 8h). Amphipolis mint. Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; all in the center of a Macedonian shield / Club right monogram above all within oak wreath thunderbolt to left. Prokopov dies BA2-LB7 (unlisted die combination) AMNG III-1, 159 SNG Copenhagen 1310-1. Superb EF. Struck on a broad flan. Ex CNG Coin Shop 2009 Ex Triton XIX Jan 5, 2016
Oh, wow, thanks. Was not aware there were only the 16, 12, 8, or 6 rays as normal. My take is that my 10 was a die cutter saying, "oh crap, I tried to make 12 rays, but I ran outta room. Oh well, 10 fits. NEXT!"
