Sale: Nomos 9, Lot: 96. Estimate CHF5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 20 October 2014.  Sold For CHF4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MACEDON. Philip V, 221-179 BC. Drachm (Silver, 19mm, 4.18 g 12), Pella, with Zoilos as chief mintmaster, c. 184-179. Diademed head of Philip V to right. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ Club with monogram of ΖΩ above and those of ΔΙ and ΒΕ below; all within oak wreath with ties at the left; to left, star of eight rays. Mamroth, Philip 32. Rare. A superb and wonderful example, beautifully toned and with an exceptionally fine portrait. Very possibly the finest drachm of Philip V known. Good extremely fine.

Drachms of the later Macedonian kings, struck in their own names rather than in that of Alexander III, are surprisingly scarce. They must have been struck in fairly small numbers (especially in comparison to their abundant issues of tetradrachms). While portrait drachms of Philip V are not that hard to find, they are normally only found in rather worn condition: the present coin is quite astoundingly fine. The portrait was executed with great skill by an engraver of unusual talent.