Life-time Tet of Philip II---King of Macedon

This large silver tetradrachm of Philip, father of Alexander the Great and a great King in his own right, was exceedingly difficult for me to value let alone to place what I thought was a reasonable bid at auction-----the seller's 'estimate' was $550.00 and my comparable value for grade and type ranged between $300-$400. This coin exhibits many pros and cons: it's a scarcer variation of an already scarce silver coin, yet highly worn and missing the sharp details of the devices we would all prefer, but well-centered while retaining much of its original 'high relief'----sharper details would also have impacted the market value, probably far exceeding my allotted budget for this type. The historical context of the coin is simply fascinating. To quote the descriptions found at numerous auctions:

"Philip despite Athenian opposition to his participation in the Olympics on the grounds that he was a non-Greek, went on to become an Olympic victor three times in 356, 352 and 348 BC. On the first occasion, Plutarch reports that upon having conquered Potidaia, Philip was informed his horse had won its race and that this day he had also learned of the victory of his general Parmenion against the Illyrians, and that his wife Myrtale had given birth to a son, Alexander. Philip decreed that his wife should henceforth be known as Olympias and he caused these coins to be struck, proudly displaying he and his horse in victorious stance on the reverse."

Following the victory of Philip's entry in the Olympics in 356 BC, the 'youthful' horseman/jockey was periodically replaced with the reverse of Philip himself as exhibited on this example.

AR Tetradrachm, Philip II (359-336 BC), King of Macedonia; 14.06 grams, 25 mm
Laureate head of Zeus right.
Philip wearing kausia and chlamys, raising his right hand in salute, riding horse walking to left, star below raised foreleg, D behind raised hind leg.
Struck circa 354-348 BC, Pella mint.
Le Rider 122 var, SNG ANS 360

Please post any coin of interest you may have.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Wow! Love tha coin. I am a big fan of Philip II and Alexander III. Philip's. Horse reverses and devices always really make his coins!

 

Lovely coin, like the portrait.

 

@Mikey Zee The coin is awesome in its historic value and although worn, it can be fully attributed. Therefore it is a great score, especially if the price was palletable.

 

I regret I have NO silvers of Philip II... now I need to get a Lifetime Tet to accompany my Alexander III Lifetime Tet! @Mikey Zee , LOL, YOU are costing me MONEY!

 

LOL

@Alegandron That's what I'm ALWAYS saying about you and all the gang here on CT

Dang, Now I NEED a lifetime TET of Alexander III too

 

Like THIS?

 

Yep!!!

That's a beauty !!!

 

Just as nice as your Philip II.

 

I would like a Tet like that. Good goin Mikey.

 

that's a nice lookin' tet MZ!
i don't have any greek tets...out of my ususal price range.
i'll post my little Ae philip ii,..

 

I have this one, not a great picture.


John

 

Nice capture @Mikey Zee! Here's my tetradrachm of Phillip II.

Phillip II, Amphiplis mint
359-336 BC
AR tetradrachm 14.2gm - 25 mm
Obv: Laurel head of Zeus r.
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

 

o o o o...I get to show my new baby...

 

Wowzers, Mikey-Z => that is a very sweet "lifetime" example (congrats)

Ummm, I also have an example ... but my humble piece was minted a couple of decades later (but it's still one of my favourite coins) ...
=> it's just one of those coins that feels "so awesome" in-hand!! (the dark-toning seems to make the coin "pop")

Philip II AR tetradrachm
Date: 336-328 BC
Diameter: 23.9 mm
Weight: 14.0 grams
Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus
Reverse: Youth on horse, holding palm; club below
References: Cf. Le Rider 379 (Pella mint)
Characteristics: Lovely style, deep toning




=> Oh, and here is another "AE" version from Philip-II

Philip II AE Unit (Bronze)
359-336 B.C.
Diameter: 18mm
Weight: 6.2 grams
Obverse: Head of Apollo right
Reverse: Youth on horse right, FILIPPOU (FILIPPOY?), spear-head in exergue
Reference: cf Sear 6696-6698



... congrats again on a very cool lifetime OP-addition, my coin-friend!!

 

I have a couple of Philip II Tets.

Philip II, Ar Tetradrachm

Obv:– Laureate head of Zeus right
Rev:– FILIP-POU, king riding left, wearing kausia and chlamys, raising right hand in salute, erased protome of pegasos below, bow under right foreleg
Minted in Amphipolis mint. 355 - 348 BC
Reference:– Le Rider 164 (D75/R135)
There is a flaw on the reverse running through the body of the rider.
ex Münzhandlung Ritter GmbH, August 2006; ex Beast Coins; ex Mark Drazak Collection; ex Forvm Ancient Coins.



Philip II, Ar Tetradrachm

Obv:– Laureate head of Zeus right
Rev:– FILIPPOU, naked youth on horse pacing right on horseback holding palm, stalk of grain under belly, P below foreleg
Minted in Amphipolis mint.
Reference:– SNG ANS 667 - 680
Test cut on reverse.
14.114g, 24.3mm, 0o

 

I have one I'm very fond of


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

 

TIF. That one is a gem. I think that every time I see it.

 

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha