Sale: Triton XIII, Lot: 113. Estimate $2500.  Closing Date: Monday, 4 January 2010.  Sold For $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MACEDON. Antigonos II Gonatas. 277/6-239 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17.15 g, 2h). Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 274/1-260/55 BC. Horned head of Pan left, lagobolon over shoulder, in the center of a Macedonian shield / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIΓONOY, Athena Alkidemos advancing left, holding shield decorated with aegis, preparing to cast thunderbolt; crested Macedonian helmet to inner left, TI to inner right. Touratsoglou 10-2 (same obv. die); SNG München 1074-5; SNG Alpha Bank 983; SNG Saroglos -. EF. Well centered.

Mathisen, in his study of Gonatas’ coinage, contends that the fighting Athena was a traditional symbol of Pyrrhos, Antigonos’ vanquished enemy, and it was adopted to emphasize the Macedonian king’s victory over his Epeirote challenger. Similarly, Mathisen believes Pan symbolizes Antigonos' victory over the Gauls, whose invasions had terrorized Macedon and Thrace for decades.