★ Ex M&M 73, 1988 ★

ANCIENT GREECE. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. temp. Philip III Arrhidaios - Kassander.
Gold Stater, circa 323-315 BC. Pella.
In the name and types of Philip II. Obv: laureate head of Apollo right. Rev: charioteer, holding kentron and reins, driving galloping biga right; thunderbolt below, ΦIΛIΠΠOY in exergue.

In secure plastic holder, graded NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5 - highly lustrous and boasting great detail, certification number 6557754-001.

This exquisite Macedonian stater, struck between 323-315 BC, is a remarkable testament to the enduring legacy of Philip II. Although issued during the reign of either his son, Philip III, or the ambitious Kassander, founder of the brief Antipatrid dynasty, the coin bears the name and types of Philip II, underscoring the powerful and lasting influence of the legendary king. The obverse features the laureate head of Apollo, symbolising the divine favour and cultural refinement that Macedon embraced under Philip II’s rule. On the reverse, a charioteer driving a biga celebrates Philip II’s Olympic victories - events that not only honoured the gods but also solidified his dominance and prestige across the Greek world. By invoking Philip II’s image and achievements, this coin sought to connect its issuer to the grandeur of his reign, reassuring a turbulent kingdom of its continuity and stability amidst the chaos following Alexander the Great’s death. The coin’s iconography thus served both as a political statement and as a means of consolidating power, reflecting the deep reverence for Philip II’s legacy in a time when the future of Macedon was fiercely contested.

Ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 340 (1/6/2022), lot 18; ex Hess-Divo AG, Auction 328 (22/5/2015), lot 29 (hammer: 10,000 CHF); ex Münzen und Medaillen AG Basel, Auction 73 (17/10/1988), lot 122.

Reference: Le Rider-566 (same dies); SNG ANS-188.
Weight: 8.60 g.