Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
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Macedon, Philippoi AV Stater. Circa 356-345 BC. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress / Tripod; ΦIΛIΠΠΩN upwards to left; stag head to right in right field. BMC 3; Boston MFA 583 = Warren 593; Bellinger, Philippi 18; AMNG III/2, 3 var. (horse head on rev.); cf. HGC 3.1, 628 (same type, symbol not listed). 8.57g.
NGC graded Ch XF 4/5 - 4/5, edge marks (#5873092-003). Extremely Rare.
Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics;
Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, Dallas Signature Sale 3085, 5 August 2020, lot 30007;
Ex Jonathan P. Rosen Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020, lot 192.
Originally a Thasian foundation, the town of Daton alternated between Athenian control for most of the fifth century, a brief period of local autonomy in the first half of the fourth century, and once more came under the control on Thasos in circa 360 BC when the local mines were recaptured with Athenian backing and the town was refounded with the new name of Krenides. Shortly thereafter however, in 356 Krenides was threatened by Thracians, and the citizens appealed to the rising power in the area, Philip of Macedon. Philip had conquered Amphipolis the year before, and he now took Krenides under his aegis. The city was strengthened greatly with new fortifications, enlarged with new colonists, and was renamed Philippoi in honour of the king.
Having gained command of the Mount Pangeion region and the 1000 talents a year in gold that its mines provided, Philip at first permitted the city to continue striking coinage in its own name, using types that it had previously employed, in both gold and silver - it is to this period of production that the present coin belongs. For a time therefore, the coinage of Philippoi must have circulated alongside Philip's royal coinage, however with the advent of Philip's currency reforms of the 340s, gold production at Philippoi came to an end.
This stater belongs to the second issue of staters by the city, continuing the Herakles / tripod type which had been employed prior to the Macedonian recolonisation, altering, however, the obverse bust type slightly to exhibit a more conventional style, with the paws of the lion skin closed around the neck of Herakles. The stag's head variety is particularly rare, with only a handful known, perhaps as a result of the fact that gold production at Philippi was short-lived, and this second series was terminated before the end of the 340s BC.
As for the city itself, following its incorporation into the Kingdom of Macedon, it would next feature significantly on the pages of history only centuries later when in October 42 BC, on the plain to the west of the city, the legions of Octavian and Marc Antony faced those Brutus and Cassius to determine the fate of the Roman world.
NGC graded Ch XF 4/5 - 4/5, edge marks (#5873092-003). Extremely Rare.
Acquired from Vilmar Numismatics;
Ex Heritage World Coin Auctions, Dallas Signature Sale 3085, 5 August 2020, lot 30007;
Ex Jonathan P. Rosen Collection, Classical Numismatic Group, Triton XXIII, 14 January 2020, lot 192.
Originally a Thasian foundation, the town of Daton alternated between Athenian control for most of the fifth century, a brief period of local autonomy in the first half of the fourth century, and once more came under the control on Thasos in circa 360 BC when the local mines were recaptured with Athenian backing and the town was refounded with the new name of Krenides. Shortly thereafter however, in 356 Krenides was threatened by Thracians, and the citizens appealed to the rising power in the area, Philip of Macedon. Philip had conquered Amphipolis the year before, and he now took Krenides under his aegis. The city was strengthened greatly with new fortifications, enlarged with new colonists, and was renamed Philippoi in honour of the king.
Having gained command of the Mount Pangeion region and the 1000 talents a year in gold that its mines provided, Philip at first permitted the city to continue striking coinage in its own name, using types that it had previously employed, in both gold and silver - it is to this period of production that the present coin belongs. For a time therefore, the coinage of Philippoi must have circulated alongside Philip's royal coinage, however with the advent of Philip's currency reforms of the 340s, gold production at Philippoi came to an end.
This stater belongs to the second issue of staters by the city, continuing the Herakles / tripod type which had been employed prior to the Macedonian recolonisation, altering, however, the obverse bust type slightly to exhibit a more conventional style, with the paws of the lion skin closed around the neck of Herakles. The stag's head variety is particularly rare, with only a handful known, perhaps as a result of the fact that gold production at Philippi was short-lived, and this second series was terminated before the end of the 340s BC.
As for the city itself, following its incorporation into the Kingdom of Macedon, it would next feature significantly on the pages of history only centuries later when in October 42 BC, on the plain to the west of the city, the legions of Octavian and Marc Antony faced those Brutus and Cassius to determine the fate of the Roman world.