Watch List notes:

MACEDON. Koinon of Macedon. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Medallion (Silver, 12 mm, 1.25 g, 10 h), in the names and types of Alexander III 'the Great' of Macedon and Lysimachos of Thrace. Beroea, time of Caracalla, 198-217, or Severus Alexander, 222-235. Diademed head of Alexander the Great to to left with horn of Ammon over his ear. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝ-ΔΡΟΥ Lion walking right. AMNG III 887. K. Dahmen: Alexander in Gold and Silver: Reassessing Third century AD Medallions from Aboukir and Tarsos, in: AJN 20 (2008), p. 536, no. 17 & pl. 109, 17. SNG Copenhagen 1381 var. (head to right and differing reverse legend arrangement). Extremely rare and very interesting. Rough surfaces, otherwise, very fine.


This interesting piece belongs to a larger group of coins and medallions (including the famed Aboukir medallions) struck by the Koinon of Macedon to celebrate the region's glorious past. The obverse of our example is clearly inspired by the coins of Lysimachos showing Alexander with the horn of Ammon, while the lion on the reverse refers to Herakles, a much-beloved subject on Macedonian coinage. The exact function of these medallions is uncertain, however. It has been suggested that they were awarded as prize money to victors in games honoring Alexander the Great. K. Dahmen, on the other hand, has argued that the series was produced to be handed out as donativa at games or festivals in Beroea, perhaps by the Makedoniarch. Whatever the case, these medallions show a fascinating blend of antiquarianism, local identity and artistic skill.