KINGS of MACEDON. Archelaos. 413-400/399 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 10.68 g, 4h). Aigai mint. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 133
Lot: 143. Estimated: $ 750

Greek, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 1 900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of MACEDON. Archelaos. 413-400/399 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 10.68 g, 4h). Aigai mint. Head of Apollo right, with short hair, wearing tainia / Horse advancing right, trailing rein, in linear square within shallow incuse square. Westermark, Staters, Group II, Series 1, dies O13/R– (unlisted rev. die); AMNG III/2, 3; HGC 3, 795. Good VF.

Ex Gorny & Mosch 302 (4 March 2024), lot 109; Dr. Fritz Collection (Kölner Münzkabinett 115, 29 October 2021), lot 38.

Archelaos was one of early Macedon’s most early capable kings. His reign saw major changes to state administration, the organization of the kingdom’s military, and significant developments in commerce that helped stabilize the kingdom’s finances. Perhaps the most important event of his reign was a rapproachment with Athens, historically an opponent to the Macedonian kings. Relations had soured between the two in 424 BC when Macedon under Perdikkas II took control of Amphipolis, which provided Athens with much of its timber for shipbuilding. In 413 BC, Athens suffered a devastating defeat at Syracuse that destroyed most of its fleet of ships. Rather than see the Athenians struggle to rebuild Archelaos used this as an opportunity to normalize relations with Athens as an equal power, and supplied them with the timber they required. This single act greatly enriched his kingdom, and ingratiated Archelaos with the Athenians such that they honored him and his family with the titles of proxenos and euergetes. Other significant events were his relocation of the Argead capital from Aigai to Pella, and the expansion of trade with various cities in Greece. This trade greatly increased the influence of Hellenic culture in Macedon, and many Greek artists, poets, musicians, and tragedians were brought to Archelaos’ court. Archelaos was murdered in 399 BC, but the sources differ on the circumstances.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 133 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 15-16 September 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 133 – Session One – Lot 1-308 will be held Tuesday morning, 15 September 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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