100 Greatest Ancient Coins Plate Coin
35. Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander I. 498-454 BC. Octodrachm, 28.78g. c. 492-480/79 BC. Obv: Horseman wearing chlamys and petasos, holding two spears and leading horse; Rx: Quadripartite incuse square. Raymond pl. II, 6. SNG ANS 1. EF $25,000 Ex Triton VIII, 11 January 2005, lot 129. Plate coin in Harlan J. Berk, 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, p. 15. Alexander I was the founder of the Macedonian kingdom. He managed to conquer large parts of the Chalcidian district, including the silver mines operated by the tribe of the Bisaltae. This is one of his earliest issues, the image pointing to the strength of the Macedonian army: a fine breed of horses and strong cavalrymen. The detail of the two spears is noteworthy; ancient sources attest that hunters and cavalrymen used to carry two spears, the second one in reserve in case the first throw missed.
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Spectacular Philip Tetradrachm
36. Philip II. 357-336 BC. Tetradrachm, 14.44g (1h). Amphipolis, c. 348-342 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right, the laurel wreath including berries; dotted border. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠ - ΠΟΥ Boy riding horse right, holding palm branch in right hand and reins in left; beneath raised foreleg of horse, grasshopper. Le Rider p. 92, 203 (D94/R172), pl. 31. The appearance of a Philip tetradrachm of this artistic quality and condition is a rare event. Mint State $2,500
Enlargement
37. Tetradrachm, 14.26g (2h). Pella, c. 323-315 BC. Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right. Dotted border. Rx: ΦΙΛΙΠ-ΠΟY Boy rider on horseback right, holding palm branch in right hand. Beneath horse, coiled snake. In exergue, Boeotian shield. Dotted border. Le Rider p. 68, 530, pl. 22. SNG Lockett 1414. Mint State $2,500