Triton XVII, Lot: 133. Estimate $500. Sold for $450. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MACEDON. Perdikkas II. 451-413 BC. AR Tetrobol (16mm, 2.26 g, 9h). Heavy series. Aigai mint(?). Struck circa 437/6-432/1 BC. Warrior, wearing kausia, holding two spears in left hand and rein in right, on horseback right; plant below / Forepart of lion right in shallow incuse square. Raymond 219 (A28d/P25e); AMNG III/2, 10; SNG ANS 57; Hunterian 4; Weber 2021 (all from the same dies). Good VF, toned. Well struck and excellent metal.

From the RAJ Collection, purchased in 2006 from CNG (Inventory no. 767799).

Perdikkas II was a son of Alexander I. Upon the death of his father, Macedon entered a period of upheaval. The various tribes that had allied with Alexander now began to exert their automomy, and Alexander's eldest son, Alketas II, who was thought to have been a drunk, was unable to rule effectively. After a short reign of six years, Alketas was killed by his nephew, the future king Archelaos, whose regicidal act helped elevate his own father, Perdikkas, to the throne. The internecine strugges continued under Perdikkas, who was challenged by his brother, Philip, who enlisted the support of Athens. In response, Perdikkas instigated a rebellion against Athens among many of their client cities in the region. The Athenian response to this rebellion resulted in a number of battles that embroiled the Corinthains and directly led to the beginning of the Peloponnesian War. During the war, Perdikkas was an ally of Sparta, and in 424 BC, with Spartan assitance, the Macedonians captured the important city of Amphipolis from the Athenians. The capture of Amphipolis was a salient event of Perdikkas' reign, as this city greatly expanded Macedonian influence, and at the same time significantly reduced Athens' power in the region. Over the remaining decade of his rule, Perdikkas shifted his allegiance between Sparta to Athens, playing off their struggles to enlarge and secure the Macedonian kingdom. He died peacefully in 413 BC, passing the crown to his son, Archelaos.