I recently acquired the attached coin. I find it interesting that Antigonos would put the head of Amon (the Egyptian God) on his coinage at a time that he was in direct conflict with Ptolemy. Now this may have just been an acknowledgement of Alexander's claim that Amon was his real father. But I'm thinking it might instead have been a subtle message to Ptolemy. Does anyone else have any thoughts on the use of this left field control? Thanks!
Wow, digging for an answer to your question led to great confusion but fortunately further reading cleared it up, although not in a way that answers your question . I was going to say I doubt the appearance of Ammon on this coin represents Antigonos Monophthalmus thumbing his nose at Ptolemy I because the coin was struck in Abydos (Egypt) and Ammon is an Egyptian deity. That didn't make sense though. If this coin was struck in Abydos Egypt why is it attributed to Antigonos I Monophthalmus? Egypt was Ptolemy I's territory after the death of Alexander III. Different Abydos. D'oh. Your coin was struck in Abydos, Mysia, and that was definitely in Antigonos's territory. Anyway... fantastic coin!!!
I have a drachm of that type (thanks, TIF for that research): Macedonia Kingdom Drachm Antigonus I Monophthalmus (c. 320-306 B.C.) Troas, Abydos Mint Head of Herakles in lion skin / AΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus seated left on throne, eagle & sceptre; horned head of Zeus Ammon rt., ivy leaf under throne Price 1551; Müller 189. (4.00 grams / 18 mm)
Here is my example: Alexander III, "The Great." 336-323 BC. Struck under Antigonos I Monophthalmos as Strategos of Asia, 320-306/5 BC, or king, 306/5-301 BC. AR Drachm (4.2 gm, 9h. 18mm). Abydos mint. Struck circa 310-301 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin. Rev: Zeus seated l., in left field, head of Ammon r.; ivy leaf below throne. Like Price 1551; ADM II Series XII, 181-204. but anepigraphic. No Alexander's name in rev. field. Unlisted?
Is it the same type as the one above shown by @Mike Margolis? Edited: oops, never mind... I see the name on his coin now
Makedon Antigonus I Monophthalmus, 323 - 301 B.C., In the Name of Alexander the Great AR Drachm, 3.906g, 16.5mm, die axis0o Magnesia ad Maeandrum mint, c. 319 - c. 305 BCE Obv: , Hd of Alexander R, clad in Nemean Lion scalp headdress tied at neck Reverse AΛEΞAN∆POY, Zeus seated left on throne without back, nude to waist, himation around hips and legs, right leg drawn back, feet on footstool, eagle in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, ΣΩ monogram left, AT monogram under throne Ref: Price1970, Müller Alexander 793, Prokesch-Osten II 84, SNG Cop-, SNG München-, SNG Alpha Bank EX: Forum Ancient Coins Antigonos I Monophthalmos ("the One-eyed") (382 B.C. - 301 B.C.) was a nobleman, general, and governor under Alexander the Great. Upon Alexander's death in 323 B.C., he established himself as one of the successors and declared himself King in 306 B.C. The most powerful satraps of the empire, Cassander, Seleucus, Ptolemy and Lysimachus, answered by also proclaiming themselves kings. Antigonus found himself at war with all four, largely because his territory shared borders with all of them. He died in battle at Ipsus in 301 B.C. Antigonus' kingdom was divided up, with Seleucus I Nicator gaining the most. His son, Demetrius I Poliorcetes, took Makedon, which the family held, off and on, until it was conquered by Rome in 168 BCE.
