★ Portrait of Philip V issue from the Christopher Morcom Collection ★

KINGS OF MACEDON. Philip V, 221-179 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.44 g, 2 h), Pella or Amphipolis, circa 188/7-184 BC. Head of Philip V, in the guise of the hero Perseus, to left, with harpa over his right shoulder, wearing winged helmet adorned with a griffin as a crest; all within the boss of a Macedonian shield ornamented with seven stars within crescents around the edge. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ΦIΛIΠΠOΥ Club right; above, monogram; below, two monograms; all within oak wreath tied at the left; to left of the ties, harpa. Mamroth, Philip, 3. Pozzi 2051. SNG Alpha Bank -. SNG Berry -. SNG München -. A beautifully toned example of this historically important issue. Slightly rough, otherwise, about extremely fine.

From the collection of Christopher Morcom, Triton XI, 8 January 2008, 132.

When compared to the images of King Perseus (see lot 61 below), the beard and facial features of the head on this important issue make it likely that this is an actual image of his father, Philip V, albeit in the guise of his favorite divine companion, Perseus, his son's eponym. As such, it differs significantly from the more common earlier emissions, which show a youthful, beardless Perseus, and, if true, forms the first image of an Antigonid king to appear on coins since that of Philip's great-grandfather, Demetrios I Poliorketes (see lot 58 above).