Kings of Makedon - BEFORE Alexander the Great

I am slowly and not specifically, building a Collection of Makedon Kings.

I try not to mispell the nation:
- If it was the independent Kingdom, north of Greece, I spell it and pronounce it as they did: MAKEDON.
- If it is part of the Roman Empire, then it is Macedonia.
This helps me place the coins in the historical perspective.

I recently captured a cool, albeit difficult to find, Alexander I. All of a sudden, I began to realize I was building a Argead Dynasty - Makedon Basileus collection - BEFORE Alexander III:

My recent capture: ALEXANDER I


MAKEDON
Alexander I 498-454 BCE
AR Obol 10mm 0.75g
Horse - Quadripartite incuse square
SNG ANS 32 Rare
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_I_of_Macedon



MAKEDON
Perdikkos II 454-413 BCE
AR heavy tetrobol 2.4g 15mm 12h mint 437-431 BC
horseman holding two spears prancing
Forepart Lion in incuse square
Raymond 184ff SNG ANS 47ff
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perdiccas_II_of_Macedon



MAKEDON
Amyntas II 395-393 BCE
Æ12, Dichalkon 2.0g, 12h; Aigai or Pella mint.
Obv.: Head of Pan right.
Rev.: Forepart of wolf chewing on bone.
Ref: Westermark, Remarks, 2; SNG Alpha Bank 179-80.
Very Rare.
Ex: @John Anthony
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyntas_II_of_Macedon



MAKEDON
Amyntas III 393-369 BCE
GRANDFATHER of Alexander III the Great
AE 17mm, 3.2g
Obv: Head of Herakles r, wearing lion skin
Rev: AMUNTA, Eagle devouring serpant
Ref: SNG ANS 100ff
Ex: @Blake Davis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyntas_III_of_Macedon



MAKEDON
Philip II 359-336 BCE
Mastermind of all the Makedon Kings - Father of Alexander III the Great
AR Tetradrachm.
Mint: Pella, lifetime issue, struck circa 353-349 BC.
25 mm. 14.4 g
Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right Rev: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ,
Rev: Philip on horseback left, wearing kausia and raising right hand; spearhead below, star below horse's raised foreleg.
Le Rider 102 (D58/R82).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Macedon


I have MANY of the Makedon Kings to get before a get a complete collection, but generally they are harder to find. Here is a list of Makedon Kings BEFORE Alexander:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ancient_Macedonians


Feel free to post any MAKEDONWN (of the MAKEDONS) or Macedonian coins that are NOT Alexander III the Great!

 

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There is only one Alexander, & he was great!

Nice addition & a very cool set to start & assemble!

 

Awesome coins, @Alegandron!
This Philip Monophtalmos tet has an amazing eye-appeal!

 

That is a fantastic set goal and I'm surprised more people don't do it. I should aim for that "set" as well!

 

That is a really nice collection @Alegandron Your tet of Philip II is first rate! The Argead dynasty produced two incredible kings in Philip II and Alexander III, men that would go on to shape world history. I dont have any pre Alexander III Argead coins, but I do have a Celtic imitation tet of Philip II. I normally don't collect Celtic coins, but this one was executed with some real skill.

Celts Danube Region AR Tetradrachm
25.3 mm, 14.259 g
Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right.
Rev: FILIPPOU, naked youth on horse pacing right holding branch, L-K and torch below.
SGCV I 203

 

That is a very nice one! Some of the greatest compliments are through imitation!


Celtic Imitation Philip II AR Drachm Kugelwangel type- Agora auction


Celtic Imitation Philip II AR Drachm Kugelwangel type - pecunum auction

 

I agree with @TIF that this set's popularity is surprisingly low... I look forward to seeing more of it as you build, Gandalf... in your inimitable fashion!! I've always loved your Amyntas II when I've seen it, what a great type. (I even like it as a cat person, definitely on the list.)

 

My only pre-AlexIII Makedonian coin is the most common of them (but no less awesome): Philip II


KINGS OF MACEDON, Philip II. 356-336 BCE
AR tetradrachm. 24mm, 14.20 gm, 12h
Pella, 342-336 BCE
Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right
Rev: ΦIΛIΠ-ΠOY, youth, holding palm and reins, on horseback right, thunderbolt below, N in exergue
Ref: Le Rider 222-306. SNG ANS 385-95
ex Colosseo Collection

 

Nice niche you are collecting @Alegandron! You have some wonderful examples of Makedon Kings. I especially like your new obol of Alexander I

I have coins of Perdikkas II, Archelaus, and Amyntas III...but alas no photos. I can share a tetradrachm issued in the name of Phillip II from the Amphipolis mint, circa 315-294 BC (though not technically a issue by a Makedon king, since it was issued after Philip's death)


Macedonian Kingdom, in the name of Phillip II, 315-294 BC
AR tetradrachm 14.2gm - 25 mm, Amphipolis
Obv: Laurel head of Zeus right
Rev: Naked youth on horse pacing r., holding long palm branch; ΦΙΛΠ -- ΠΟΥ behind and before; with A monogram below horse's belly and race-torch below horse's raised foreleg, nothing in ex.

 

WOW, that is gorgeous. Well done. Personally, I feel this was the greatest of Makedonwn Kings. Alexander was brilliant at EXECUTING all of the plans, resources, personnel, finances, nation-building that PHILIP II had created. And he did it starting with a shattered kingdom. Brilliant man, and everything Alexander did was from his father's teaching and developing him. No slight to Alex, he did extremely well. But, I often wondered - "what-IF" had PHILIP lived and executed his own plans against Persia. Alexander would have probably been his best General, but with Philip's guidance, they may had an Empire that did not fall apart after Alexander's death.

LOL, WHO you calling inimitable??? I be eclectic. Yeah, I have always been told that I take a different route in life... but it is more FUN to do that! However, I AM a little surprised that folks do not collect more of the Makedon Kings. They do have some pretty cool history, and that is the big reason I pulled the trigger on Alex I in the OP. That guy was caught between a rock and hard-place against the Persians. But, he ultimately hurt them!

I really enjoy exploring the foundations, and what influences that lead up to Philip II and ultimately Alexander III the Great. Folks in history normally do not come from a vacuum - there were people before them, resources, circumstances, education, etc. that lead to critical junctures in History. Hence, me exploring Makedon and why they produced 2 incredibly influential leaders!

LOL @Multatuli - Philip The One-Eye! At least he earned in "honestly" in BATTLE as opposed to Hannibal losing it through some eye-grunge infection!

Thanks @Mat ... yeah, it is a cool set to start assembling. I just started getting a few, then I realized that I had a few more than expected. FUN or (TIF). You got me on the Female Rulers of Rome, which is fun. But, this Makedon King stuff is interesting (to me).

Here is one AFTER Alex III, for the joint rule of his Elder Half-Brother and Alex III's Son:


Makedon
Philip III Arrhidaeus and Alexander IV
Drachm Amphipolis mint 2.59g 13mm
Apollo-Youth horse
VERY RARE
SNG ANS 621 Le Rider123

 

Noble goal, Alegandron success !

 

Nice coins everyone. This is a Hemiobol from Tragilos Makedon.


MACEDON, Tragilos
AR Hemiobol
450-410 B.C.
0.30 grams, 7 mm.
Obv: Simple ear of grain
surrounded by beaded border
Rev: TR / IA in the quarters of an
inverse relief square.
Grade: Exceptionally nice. Much
better than the average EF
with attractive toning.
Other: Sear 1470. In Allen
Berman’s collection since 2012.
Purchased Sept 2017.

 

MACEDON, Akanthos. Circa 470-390 BC. AR Tetrobol
I am not finding examples online with the YE above. Help?

 

Perdikkas II. 451-413 BC. AR Light Tetrobol

 

I've got one of those Perdikkas II coins:

MAKEDONIAN KINGDOM
Perdikkas II
AR Light Tetrobol
454-413 B.C.
Unknown weight, 15 mm.
Obv: Horse pacing right
Rev: Crested helmet right &
single linear square within
shallow incuse square.
Grade: overall a Very Fine coin in an ANACS holder. The obverse is better than the reverse. The gF reverse is not centered like the obverse.
Other: Perdikkas was the son & successor of Alexander I. He was instrumental in the formation of the Chalkidian League. Raymond 143, B.M.C.5., p.159, 6. Sear p.151 #1487. From Eye Appealing Coins June 2014.

 

Great coins Brian! I especially like the Alexander I. I must admit I never thought of collecting Makedon coins before Alexander. I think it would be a very interesting specialty. The artistry of that Phillip II is just superb. You have a very eclectic and interesting collection.

 

My only pre-alexander macedon coin is from his father Philipe II mine has nice crystallization surface which indicates authenticity and the reason I bought it

 

Here are a few Kings of Makedon AFTER Alexander III


MAKEDON Philip III Arrhidaios 323-317 BCE Æ 1-2 Unit 17mm 4.2g Miletos mint Makedonwn shield Gorgoneion - Helmet bipennis K Price 2064



Makedon Antigonos I Monopthalmus 319-305 BC AR Drachm Magnesia and Maeandrum Mint 3.9g 16-5mm Herakles lion-Zeus


Makedon - Kassander 305-297 BCE AE 20 Herakles - Youth on Horse prancing SG 6754



Makedon AE 15mm Demetrios I Poliorketes 294-288 BCE Zeus Athena


Syracuse Sicily Pyrrhus King of Epirus 278-276 BCE AE Litra 11.4g 23.3mm Herakles Nemaean Lion scalp - Athena Promachos thunderbolt shield SNG Cop 813, SNG ANS 852
King of Makedon 274-272 BCE


Makedon Amphipolis Philip V - Perseus - Makedon Amphipolis Philip V - Perseus - lost empire to Romans - helmet Tetrobol 187-168 BCE



Makedon Philip V AE17 3.7g 221-179 BCE Perseus Hd R helmet w winged vulture - Horse rearing R SNG Cop 1239



Makedon Perseus 178-168 BC AE 23 Poseidon Club
lost empire to Romans

 

Great set of coins, @Alegandron! Definitely an interesting collecting theme.

I have an Amyntas III that recently arrived, same type as yours, but I haven't photographed it yet. Instead, here are a couple of MAKEΔONΩN coins, but from well past their heyday.


MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Time of Philip V and Perseus
AE Serrate. 10.0g, 25mm. Macedonian mint, circa 185-168 BC. SNG Cop 1294. O: Diademed head of Poseidon right, trident over shoulder. R: MAKE-ΔONΩN, club; monograms below left and right; all within oak wreath.

MACEDONIA, Roman Protectorate, First Meris
AR Tetradrachm. 16.84g, 32.7mm. MACEDONIA (as Roman Protectorate), First Meris, Amphipolis mint, circa 167 - 149 BC. SNG Cop 1313; Prokopov 127. O: Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, bow and quiver over shoulder, in the center of a Macedonian shield. R: Club; monogram above, two monograms below, MAKEΔONΩN above, ΠPΩTHΣ below; all within oak wreath, thunderbolt to left.

 

Gosh @Alegandron some nice coins there! My favorites are the Philip II and Amyntas II. Interesting how sets organically form?