Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 96 14-15 February 2017
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Macedonian Kingdom. Philip II. Gold Stater (8.53 g), 359-336 BC. Pella, lifetime issue, ca. 345/2-340/36 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right. Reverse: ΦIΛIΠΠOY, charioteer driving biga right, holding kentron and reins; below, grape bunch. Le Rider 24 (D11/R15); SNG ANS 124-6. Needle sharp and struck in high relief. Superb Extremely Fine. Estimate Value $5,000 - 6,000
From the Herbert & Aphrodite Rubin Collection; Purchased from an uncertain NFA auction in the 1970s-1980s, lot 106.
The reverse type of Philip's gold staters was discussed by Plutarch (Alex. 4.9) in one of the rare instances of a surviving ancient textual source regarding coinage. He notes that the chariot depicted here was specifically chosen by Philip to commemorate the victory of his chariot in the Olympic Games of 348 BC. The intended purpose was to promote the Macedonians as Greeks, which indeed they were but were nevertheless seen by their more affluent and culturally refined southern neighbors as backwards bumpkins. The point was further underlined by the obverse, which depicts the Greek god par excellence, Apollo.
From the Herbert & Aphrodite Rubin Collection; Purchased from an uncertain NFA auction in the 1970s-1980s, lot 106.
The reverse type of Philip's gold staters was discussed by Plutarch (Alex. 4.9) in one of the rare instances of a surviving ancient textual source regarding coinage. He notes that the chariot depicted here was specifically chosen by Philip to commemorate the victory of his chariot in the Olympic Games of 348 BC. The intended purpose was to promote the Macedonians as Greeks, which indeed they were but were nevertheless seen by their more affluent and culturally refined southern neighbors as backwards bumpkins. The point was further underlined by the obverse, which depicts the Greek god par excellence, Apollo.