Sale: Triton V, Lot: 1310. Estimate $2500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2002.  Sold For $3000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MACEDON, Kings of. Philip V. 221-179 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.85 gm). Struck circa 212 BC. Diademed head of Philip right / FILIPPOU left, BASILEWS right, Athena Alkidemos advancing left, brandishing thunderbolt and holding shield decorated with a star design; EP monogram to right. Mamroth, "Die Silbermünzen des Königs Philippos V. von Makedonien," ZfN 40 (1930), 1 var. (ES monogram left also); Boehringer, Chronologie Mittelhellenistischer Münzserien, pl. 7, 9 var. (same obverse die, monogram left); Triton III, lot 392 (same obverse die). Toned, nice VF, attractive Hellenistic portrait. ($2500)

This tetradrachm represents the most celebrated type of Philip V's coinage. Struck quite early in the reign, the portrait head displays the proud arrogance of the young monarch which was to carry him to such heights, but would eventually lead him to disaster and the downfall of his famous kingdom. The reverse features the celebrated image of Athena Alkidemos, guardian deity of the Macedonian capital of Pella.