Sale: Triton V, Lot: 1316. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2002.  Sold For $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MACEDON. Under Roman Rule. Circa 148-147 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.93 gm). Diademed head of Artemis right with quiver over shoulder in the center of a Macedonian shield; shield decorated with seven eight-pointed stars within double crescents / LEG above, MAKEDONWN below, club with handle to the left; hand above holding olive branch; all within oak-wreath, thunderbolt to the left. MacKay, "Macedonian Tetradrachms of 148-147 B.C.," in ANSMN 14 (1968), pg. 18, 1g (O1/R1 - this coin); SNG Copenhagen 1317 (same dies); SNG Lockett 1540 (same obverse dies); SNG Ashmolean 3310 (same obverse die). Toned EF, a small patch of horn silver on the reverse at 12:00. Rare. ($1500)

From the Robert Schonwalter Collection. Ex Münzen und Medaillen Liste 289 (June 1968), lot 22; Schulman Auktion (31 May 1927), lot 180.

This coin uses the same basic design as that previously issued by the Macedonian republic, but with a few added elements that allow it to be dated to shortly after Andriscus’ defeat by Metullus. As Pierre MacKay states, “When the news of Andriscus’ activities was first taken seriously in Rome, the Romans sent not an army but a legate, hoping that things could be settled peaceably." Metullus was sent when it became apparent that diplomacy was not going to work. As the Romans did not think the Macedonian people had supported Andriscus in his revolt, they sent a peace embassy, instead of an army of occupation, after his defeat. The Latin legend LEG refers to 'legatio’, an embassy, and the hand holding the olive branch an offer of peace.