Kings of Macedon
Archelaos, 413-400/399 BC. Diobol (Silver, 10.5 mm, 1.11 g, 9 h), Aigai. Bearded head of Herakles to right, wearing lion's skin headdress. Rev. [A]P- X - E Forepart of wolf right, gnawing the jawbone of a boar; above, club to right. Cf. AMNG III 8, SNG ANS 72, and SNG Copenhagen 506 (all with an uncertain bone in their mouths). An intriguing piece, with a very well-engraved reverse showing the wolf clutching a perfectly identifiable boar's jawbone in his mouth – clear and well-preserved. Good very fine.