Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 322 12 March 2014
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KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos II Gonatas. 277/6-239 BC. AR Tetradrachm (30mm, 16.91 g, 8h). In the name and types of Alexander III. Pella mint. Struck circa 276-274 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; monogram in left field, monogram in circle below throne. Price 563 var. (monogram); Mathisen pl. 20, 27 and 28 var. (same obv. die, issue in the name of Antigonos); CNG 66, lot 194 (same obv. die). VF, lightly toned, light obverse die wear.
In her 1971 article on the Peloponnesian Alexanders, M. Thompson suggested, based on the views of a graduate student and E.T. Newell, that this issue was struck by Pyrrhos during his second tenure in Macedon. This determination, however, rested on an interpretation of the monogram in the circle resolving as the name of Pyrrhos. Since the time of her article, however, two aspects of this issue have come to light that cast strong doubt on this attribution to the Epirote king. First, a variation of the monogram has been identified on at least two reverse dies that omits the top bar of the monogram, making a reading of Pyrrhos impossible. Moreover, this variation is found on two other issues in this series (Price 554 corr. and Price 562), proving that it is not a die engraver's error. Second, the die study conducted by Mathisen show this issue lies within a tightly die linked series that is undoubtedly attributable to Antigonos. Beyond these two aspects, other factors are also problematic for an attribution to Pyrrhos. All varieties of the monogram contain a central crossbar that cannot form part of Pyrrhos' name (Greek ΠYPPOΣ). These monogram varieties are also substantially different from the monogram found on the bronzes that are certainly attributable to Pyrrhos (cf. SNG Alpha Bank 970). The monogram on the bronzes, which resolves as ΠYP, has a consistent appearance on all of the dies; there are no varieties. Finally, if this tetradrachm issue was struck by Pyrrhos, it would have to date to his second invasion of Macedon, in 274-273 BC. During this invasion, however, Pyrrhos only held the up-country portion of Macedon, which does not include any mint from which this issue (and it's die-linked series) could have been struck.
In her 1971 article on the Peloponnesian Alexanders, M. Thompson suggested, based on the views of a graduate student and E.T. Newell, that this issue was struck by Pyrrhos during his second tenure in Macedon. This determination, however, rested on an interpretation of the monogram in the circle resolving as the name of Pyrrhos. Since the time of her article, however, two aspects of this issue have come to light that cast strong doubt on this attribution to the Epirote king. First, a variation of the monogram has been identified on at least two reverse dies that omits the top bar of the monogram, making a reading of Pyrrhos impossible. Moreover, this variation is found on two other issues in this series (Price 554 corr. and Price 562), proving that it is not a die engraver's error. Second, the die study conducted by Mathisen show this issue lies within a tightly die linked series that is undoubtedly attributable to Antigonos. Beyond these two aspects, other factors are also problematic for an attribution to Pyrrhos. All varieties of the monogram contain a central crossbar that cannot form part of Pyrrhos' name (Greek ΠYPPOΣ). These monogram varieties are also substantially different from the monogram found on the bronzes that are certainly attributable to Pyrrhos (cf. SNG Alpha Bank 970). The monogram on the bronzes, which resolves as ΠYP, has a consistent appearance on all of the dies; there are no varieties. Finally, if this tetradrachm issue was struck by Pyrrhos, it would have to date to his second invasion of Macedon, in 274-273 BC. During this invasion, however, Pyrrhos only held the up-country portion of Macedon, which does not include any mint from which this issue (and it's die-linked series) could have been struck.