Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 392 1 March 2017
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MACEDON, Philippi (as Thasian Epeiros [Krenides]). Circa 360/59-356 BC. Æ (11.5mm, 0.88 g, 12h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Tripod. Bellinger, Philippi –; Le Rider, Thasiennes 30; HGC 3.1, 627. Fine, dark green patina. Rare, only one in CoinArchives.
From the estate of Thomas Bentley Cederlind.
Krenides was a small colony of Thasos established on the plain of Philippoi, circa 360/59 BC (Diodoros, XVI 3.7). In 357 BC, these colonists appealed to Philip II of Macedon for aid against the local Thracians, who were attempting to oust the non-native Thasians (Stephanos of Byzantium, s.v. Φιλιπποι). Shortly after Philip defeated the Thracians, he refounded Krenides as Philippoi, and settled a number of Macedonians there, who soon began to issue coinage in the name of the new city. Two series of coinage have been attributed to the city's early period, while it was a Thasian colony. Both types feature the lion skin clad head of Herakles on their obverse and the legend ΘAΣION HΠEIPO (or EΠEIPO). On the reverse, one series, only known in bronze, has a club and bow, while the other series, known in gold and bronze (as the present coin), has a tripod (Le Rider, Thasiennes 28-30). This second series is fundamental in establishing the placement of these coin at Krenides, as the staters are virtually identical in all respects to the staters of Philippoi, except for their ethnic. (See also B. Isaac, The Greek Settlements in Thrace until the Macedonian Conquest [Leiden: Brill, 1986], pp. 49-50.)
From the estate of Thomas Bentley Cederlind.
Krenides was a small colony of Thasos established on the plain of Philippoi, circa 360/59 BC (Diodoros, XVI 3.7). In 357 BC, these colonists appealed to Philip II of Macedon for aid against the local Thracians, who were attempting to oust the non-native Thasians (Stephanos of Byzantium, s.v. Φιλιπποι). Shortly after Philip defeated the Thracians, he refounded Krenides as Philippoi, and settled a number of Macedonians there, who soon began to issue coinage in the name of the new city. Two series of coinage have been attributed to the city's early period, while it was a Thasian colony. Both types feature the lion skin clad head of Herakles on their obverse and the legend ΘAΣION HΠEIPO (or EΠEIPO). On the reverse, one series, only known in bronze, has a club and bow, while the other series, known in gold and bronze (as the present coin), has a tripod (Le Rider, Thasiennes 28-30). This second series is fundamental in establishing the placement of these coin at Krenides, as the staters are virtually identical in all respects to the staters of Philippoi, except for their ethnic. (See also B. Isaac, The Greek Settlements in Thrace until the Macedonian Conquest [Leiden: Brill, 1986], pp. 49-50.)