Triton XVII, Lot: 151. Estimate $1000. Sold for $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios. 323-317 BC. AR Tetradrachm (22mm, 14.28 g, 9h). In the types of Philip II. Amphipolis mint. Struck under Polyperchon, circa 318-317 BC. Head of Zeus right, wearing laurel wreath / ΦIΛIΠ-ΠOY, nude youth, holding palm frond in right hand and rein in left, on horseback right; crescent below, Π below raised foreleg. Le Rider pl. 46, 4; Troxell, Studies, Group 8, 315; SNG ANS 674–82; SNG Ashmolean 2476. EF, attractive light toning, some die rust on obverse.

Philip III was the son of Philip II and Philinna of Larissa. He was mentally incompetent and likely never would have come to the throne except for the disagreement among the Diadochs as to who would inherit Alexander the Great’s kingdom. While the Diadochs squabbled about the succession, the members of the Macedonian phalanx, who were vigorously opposed to any non-Argead successor, took it upon themselves to proclaim Arrhidaios their king. Perdikkas cunningly agreed with them, and had himself proclaimed regent for Philip and Alexander’s unborn child, who, if it were a male, would be proclaimed joint ruler with Philip. Unable to rule independently due to his mental disability, Philip was used as a pawn by a succession of Diadochs who served as his regent and used his authority as king to rubber-stamp their decisions. Tiring of this abuse, Philip’s wife, Eurydike, usurped his authority and used it against the Macedonian regent, Polyperchon, and sought the support of Antipater’s son, Kassander. Polyperchon, in response, sought help from Philip II’s wife and Alexander III’s mother, Olympias, who still exerted significant power in Macedon. Olympias was able to quickly capture the couple, and had them put to death in 317 BC.