Greek Silver & Bronze Coins

Lot 4507    SESSION 11 (2PM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Greek Silver & Bronze Coins

Estimate $400
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $290

MACEDON, Koinon type, (c.A.D. 220-245), AE 27 (13.38 g), obv. head of Alexander the Great to right, around **ALEXANDROU*, rev. galloping horseman to right, (Alexander on Bukephalos), around KOINON MAKE**DOBW*NN, (S.4808, cf.BMC 120-2, AMNG III, p.528, 512, BMC 120, SNG Cop.1355). Very fine, brown part earthern patina, very rare.

Ex CNG Triton III, November 30-December 1, 1999 (lot 1743 part).
The Koinon of Macedonians under the Roman Empire was a religious and administrative confederation of Macedonian cities going back to the Macedonian kings under Perseus and Philip V. The capital of the Koinon was located at Beroia, where it celebrated pentetric Olympic Games. Coinage struck by the Koinon regularly advertised the glories of the past especially that of the greatest Macedonian Alexander the Great. This present coin struck during the reign of Gordian III in 242 A.D. when Gordian III passed through the city to make war on the Sasanian or Persian Empire. It portrays Alexanders head on the obverse with his elevated gaze, thus indicative of his pothos (longing) to do the impossible and ascend to the gods. The reverse type depicts Alexander charging into battle on the back of his beloved horse, Bucephalus. The link to Gordian and its issue is an attempt for the emperor to repeat the same feat as Alexander and to destroy the Persian Empire. History shows that Gordian failed in his battle with the Sasanians and was killed following his defeat.