Wars Of The Diadochi: Alexander III Posthumous Drachm Under Antigonus I

Kingdom of Macedon
Antigonus I Monophthalmus
306-301 BC
Magnesia ad Meander mint
Price 1980

Obv: Head of Herakles right in lion skin
Rev: Zeus seated left, holding scepter and eagle, AΛEΞANΔPOY to right, A within wreath and E to left, AT monogram beneath chair



Born in 382 BC, Antigonus I served with distinction in the military campaigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great, being appointed one of the Diadochi, or bodyguards of Alexander. Antigonus was specifically tasked with the defence of Alexander's eastern supply line. When Alexander died in 323 BC, Antigonus was a faithful servant until the untimely death of Alexander's only son. In the ensuing power grab, Antigonus seized all of Macedon and nearly succeeded in reuniting the whole empire under his rule, but was defeated by a quadruple alliance between Seleucus, Ptolemy, Lysimachus, and Kassander. He declared himself king of Macedon in 306 and ruled for 5 years, falling in battle in 301 BC, aged 81 years old. After a lengthy exile, his descendants would rule Macedon until the Roman conquests.