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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,806 |
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Moderator
 Australia
16845 Posts |
It's my birthday, so I went and bought myself some presents.    This one's a tetradrachm of the Macedonian Empire, issued not long after the death of Alexander the Great. His immediate successor in Macedonia itself was his half-brother, Philip Arrhidaeus, known as Philip III (ruled 323-317 BC). Number 6748 in Sear's Greek catalogue, it was struck in Sidon, on the Phoenician coast. The design is essentially the same as the coins issued in the name of Alexander, except Philip's name (FILIPPOU) takes pride of place on the right of Zeus. The mintmark SI for Sidon is beneath Zeus's chair. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Forum Mom
United States
5877 Posts |
That's a great coin! The detail is amazing. You were very good to yourself for your birthday.  Happy birthday, Sap and I wish you many good years to come.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
590 Posts |
Nice coin Sap. Thanks for the Phillip III link. I have a Phillip III that has a youth on horse on the reverse, I can 't make out what is on the front.
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Moderator
 Australia
16845 Posts |
You might have a coin of his father Philip II there, Dewayne. Sear doesn't list that type for Philip III. Of course, Sear isn't necessarily complete or comprehensive, and it does state that there are "many recorded varieties" of Philip III's coins.
Many coins of Philip II have the "youth on horseback" design. The obverse on those coins is usually either the Hercules head (like mine above, beardless with a lion-skin head-dress) or the head of Zeus (a bearded fellow wearing a wreath).
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
590 Posts |
You are right it is Phillip II.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
Here is what I believe to be a Phillip III (Alexander's Impaired Brother) drachma. I purchased it from VCoins for $70 about three years ago. Take Care Ben  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4589 Posts |
all very nice, thank for sharing I need to get more into ancients.
A good book I am reading now is coins of the bible by friedberg.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by scoutjim99
all very nice, thank for sharing I need to get more into ancients.
A good book I am reading now is coins of the bible by friedberg.
I have that book too. Haven't read it yet though... B |
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Valued Member
United States
236 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Sap
It's my birthday, so I went and bought myself some presents.
This one's a tetradrachm of the Macedonian Empire, issued not long after the death of Alexander the Great. His immediate successor in Macedonia itself was his half-brother, Philip Arrhidaeus, known as Philip III (ruled 323-317 BC). Number 6748 in Sear's Greek catalogue, it was struck in Sidon, on the Phoenician coast.### Hello Sap- Very nice speciman. I have collected some of these and I will add a bit of trivia to those issued in Alexander's name. Selecus and his other Generals issued these for as long as 9 years after Alexander's death- Selecus is one that I have a particular interest in becuase this man had a birthmark on his left hip that looked exactly like an Anchor- consequently, he had a fetish for anchors and when you see a Tetradrachm with Alexander's likeness but with an Anchor beneath the falcon, It is of course an issue of Selecus, the General who started the Selecuid dynasty etc etc; Dewey Knight #28
The design is essentially the same as the coins issued in the name of Alexander, except Philip's name (FILIPPOU) takes pride of place on the right of Zeus. The mintmark SI for Sidon is beneath Zeus's chair.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4589 Posts |
wow great history lesson people keep it coming
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Valued Member
Australia
205 Posts |
Nice Coin Sap!
One of the problems I find with attributing the Herakles/Zeus coinage of Alexander and his generals is that if the coin is in poor condition, it is sometimes impossible to work out under who it was issued...
Peter
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Moderator
Australia
16845 Posts |
Too true, Peter. All I know is the general rule-of-thumb: if Zeus' legs are crossed (like they are on both the Philips pictured in this thread so far), then it's likely to be a post-Alexander issue. I don't know how reliable that rule is, though.  Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,806 |
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Posted 07/06/2006 8:42 pm
