KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Drachm (17.5mm, 4.18 g, 11h). Anepigraphic issue in the types of Alexander III. Kolophon mint. Struck under Menander or Kleitos, circa 322-319 BC. VF.

Electronic Auction 533
Lot: 47. Estimated: $ 100

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 1 700. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Drachm (17.5mm, 4.18 g, 11h). Anepigraphic issue in the types of Alexander III. Kolophon mint. Struck under Menander or Kleitos, circa 322-319 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; ivy leaf below throne. Cf. Price 1764 corr. (position of ivy leaf; in name of Alexander, spearhead to outer right); CNG 70, lot 99 var. (same; same obv. die); CNG 106, lot 192 (same dies); otherwise unpublished. Lightly toned, traces of find patina. VF. Extremely rare, apparently the second known.

Kolophon was one of the most prolific of the Alexander “drachm mints,” and is represented in most hoards of Alexander drachms. The present piece is likely an erroneous strike employing an unfinished die, rather than an intentional issue. The rarity of the type would thus be explained by the likelihood that the mistake was discovered and corrected after only a small number of strikes. The reverse die was likely engraved by the same hand as BM 2002,0101.375 and Münz Zentrum FPL 26 (1977), no. 38 (the latter of which was struck by the same obverse die as the present coin).

Closing Date and Time: 22 February 2023 at 10:15:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 20% buyer’s fee.