Nomos AG, 25
KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos II Gonatas. 277/6-239 BC. AR Tetradrachm (29mm, 17.13 g, 11h). Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 274/1-260/55 BC. Horned head of Pan left, lagobolon over shoulder, in the center of a Macedonian shield / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIΓONOY, Athena Alkidemos advancing left, holding shield decorated with aegis, preparing to cast thunderbolt; crested Macedonian helmet to inner left, HΛ monogram to inner right. Touratsoglou 25-40; SNG München 1077-8; SNG Alpha Bank 986-8; SNG Saroglos 921-4. Superb EF, attractively toned.
Ex Triton VI (14 January 2003), lot 189; Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection (Part II, Sotheby's, 21 June 1990), lot 391; S. Weintraub Collection.
Mathisen, in his study of Gonatas’ coinage, contends that the fighting Athena was a traditional symbol of Pyrrhos, Antigonos’ vanquished enemy, and it was adopted to emphasize the Macedonian king’s victory over his Epeirote challenger. Similarly, Mathisen believes Pan symbolizes Antigonos' victory over the Gauls, whose invasions had terrorized Macedon and Thrace for decades.
