ANCIENT GREECE. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. temp. Philip II - Alexander III 'the Great'.
Gold Quarter Stater, circa 340-328 BC. Pella.
In the name and types of Philip II. Obv: head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev: thunderbolt, club and bow; ΦIΛIΠΠOY between.

Very Fine.

Born to Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, Herakles frequently faced the wrath of Hera, Zeus's wife, due to her jealousy. His most famous exploits are the Twelve Labours, a series of nearly impossible tasks he was forced to undertake as penance, including slaying the Nemean Lion, capturing the Golden Hind, and retrieving Cerberus from the underworld. On this quarter stater we see two of his most famous weapons - a massive club, made from an olive tree he uprooted himself, and a powerful bow with arrows dipped in the venom of the Lernaean Hydra..

From the Euclidean Collection; ex Spink, Auction 12009 (28/3/2012), lot 88 (hammer: £700).

Reference: Le Rider-Group II, 47; SNG ANS-218; HGC 3.1-851.
Die Axis: 11h.
Diameter: 11 mm.
Weight: 2.13 g.