Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 122 15-16 Jun 2021
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Macedonian Kingdom. Time of Perseus. Drachm (2.75 g), 179-168 BC. Third Macedonian War issue. Uncertain Thessalian mint, ca. 171/0 BC. Hermias, magistrate. Head of Helios facing slightly right. Reverse: Rose with bud to right; above, magistrate's name: EPMIAΣ; Z-Ω flanking stem. Price, Larissa pl. LV, 247; SNG Keckman 793. NGC grade MS; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $400 - UP
In the ancient Greek world, and particularly in the Hellenistic period, the type design of coinage was often strongly influenced by the requirements of its intended recipients - most commonly mercenaries. Thus, there was a great outpouring of posthumous Alexander and Lysimachus tetradrachms and staters in the Hellenistic period, as these were widely accepted as international currencies. The present imitative drachm, however, features types that were not widely circulating, but rather specific to Rhodes and the Rhodian Peraia in Caria that had been granted to the city in 188 BC. As such, it must have been struck to pay Rhodian or Carian mercenaries probably fighting on the side of Perseus during the Third Macedonian War (171-168 BC). In this period Rhodes had a reputation for the high skill of its slingers - just the sort of troops that Perseus is known to have frequently used, especially in the first year of the conflict.
In the ancient Greek world, and particularly in the Hellenistic period, the type design of coinage was often strongly influenced by the requirements of its intended recipients - most commonly mercenaries. Thus, there was a great outpouring of posthumous Alexander and Lysimachus tetradrachms and staters in the Hellenistic period, as these were widely accepted as international currencies. The present imitative drachm, however, features types that were not widely circulating, but rather specific to Rhodes and the Rhodian Peraia in Caria that had been granted to the city in 188 BC. As such, it must have been struck to pay Rhodian or Carian mercenaries probably fighting on the side of Perseus during the Third Macedonian War (171-168 BC). In this period Rhodes had a reputation for the high skill of its slingers - just the sort of troops that Perseus is known to have frequently used, especially in the first year of the conflict.