 |
||
|
|
||
ANCIENT COINAGE AND CIRCULATION
OF CURRENCY (IN MACEDONIA) - PART II
Home | Back | Buy antiques and coins from ancient Macedonia
Like
Phillip II, Alexander III began circulating gold, silver and bronze coins,
but he used the Attic monetary system, which meant his staters weigh as
much as Phillip's - 8.6 grams - and his tetradrachms were heavier, weighing
17.2 grams. This monetary system remained in use even after Alexander III
by the Diadochi and the Macedonian rulers from the dynasty Antigonidas.
It should be noted that Alexander III is the first Macedonian ruler who
struck coins, which beside his name in the legend contain the genitive form
of his royal title - 
.
Following his example, the Diadochi and other Macedonian rulers continued
to use this form.
Alexander III struck gold distaters, as well as gold 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 staters.
The dstaters and the staters depicted the statue of Athena in Corinthian
helmet on the obverse, and the winged Nike standing up with a coronet in
the right hand on the reverse. Alexander began circulating these coins in
the year 335 BC; his purpose was political, as noted from the representations,
since they were minted in 336 BC when he was proclaimed the principal hegemonic
Hellenic ruler by the Council (Synedrion) of the Corinthian Peace Agreement.
The obverse of the smaller gold denominations included the same representation,
whilst the reverse usually depicted lightning or bow and bludgeon. The gold
denominations included the legend 
,
and sometimes the title .
Alexander II struck silver tetradrachms, didrachms, drachmas, hemidrachms,
diobols and obols. Like his father, he minted two types of tetradrachms.
The first type shows Zeus with a laurel grove on the obverse, and an eagle
standing on a lightning bolt with its head turned to the left on the reverse,
with the legend .
These tetradrachms weighed about 14.4 grams. In the year 334/3 BC he began
minting coins in accordance with the Attic system for coinage, a period
when he emitted the secand, widely spread and well-known type of tetradrachms.
This type de-picted the statue of Hercules with lionskin on the obverse,
and Zeus on a throne, holding a scepter in the left hand, while an eagle
stands on his right out-stretched hand on the reverse. Different initials
and monograms that
mark the mints, can also be found on the coins. The representations of this
tetradrachm type are present on other type silver coins, while on the drachmas
and hemidrachms sometimes a representation of an eagle standing on a lightning
bolt is depicted. All silver coins have the legend on
the reverse, sometimes with the title .
However, as the face of Phillip II can be seen in the appearance of Zeus
on the tetradrachms, so the silver coins minted by Alexander III depicted
the face of Alexander III in the appearance of Hercules. Actually, Phillip
II and Alexander are the first European rulers who, following the example
of the Persian satraps, would begin minting coins bearing their own image.
Apart from gold and silver coins, Alexander III also struck bronze coins,
whose value was equal to half, quarter and eighth of an obol. Most of the
representations on the silver obverse included the portraits of Hercules,
Apollo, Athena, Poseidon and the Macedonian shield with lightning or medusa
in the centre of the shield, while the reverse depicted an eagle on a lightning;
lightning bolt; bludgeon and bow in sheath; horseman; helmet with a plume;
two goats lying down; biga and Goddess of Victory. All bronze coins have
the legend on
the reverse, rarely ,
or just the initials BA.
The coins of Alexander III, especially the starers, tetradrachms and drachmas
called 'alexandrines' were the most widely used currency in regions under
his reign and in foreign countries. This is due not only to their quality
as a means for payment, but also due to their security (in a politicaleconomic
sense). As a result of this, the coins of Alexander III remained in use
long after his death, and were emitted posthumously until the 2nd century
BC, when they give way to Roman ones. Apart from this, the 
barbaric
people in Europe, especially the Celts, imitated the staters and tetradrachms
for a long time.
Alexander's coins were struck in a large number of mints: in Pella and Amphipolis
during the period from 336 to 308 BC; in Uranopolis, Sikyon, Crete and Milletus
in the 3rd century; Salamis from 316 to 306; Cyprus, Damascus and posthumously,
until the end of the 4th century in Babylon; in Beotia, Phaselis and Sidon
from 336 to 320 BC; Odessos before 22S; Pergamon after 210 to 190; etc.
As a result of Alexander's coins being the most widely dispersed currency
in antique times, today they can be found in many regions, from the
Balkan Peninsula to Egypt, Persia and India. Of course, a large number of
gold, silver and bronze coins of all types were discovered in almost all
regions of the Republic of Macedonia as individual and joint findings, thus
enabling almost all the museums in the country to hold a certain number
of his coins in their collections.
After the death of Alexander 1!1, what followed was a process of disintegration
of the country, accompanied by battles among the Diadochi and the formation
of many Hellenic states, which led to a standstill in the economic development
of Macedonia and the surrounding countries.
When Alexander III died in 323 BC, the army followed the ancient Macedonian
custom and awarded power to his half-brother Phillip III Arrhidaeus (323-316
BC) and to his juvenile son Alexander IV (323-311 BC). Although their rule,
in the midst of the fights of the Diadochi, is merely nominal, many coins
with their name were minted together with the posthumous coins of Phillip
II and Alexander III. Phillip II Arrhidaeus struck gold, silver and bronze
coins in various denominations, mostly staters, tetradrachms, drachmas and
bronze coins. They were minted according to the coins of Alexander III,
by the Attic monetary system, and with the same representations. The only
difference is that these coins bear the legend 
or just .
The coins were minted mostly in Babylon and Salamis (Cyprus) and were imitated
by the Thracians. Unlike the coins of Phillip II and Alexander III, the
ones struck by Phillip 111 circulated in much lower quantities. The golden
coins of Phillip III so far have been found in the northern part of the
Republic of Macedonia, a result of trading contacts, since this territory
got separated and was under the reign of local Paeonian rulers. The silver
coins of Phillip II can be found in almost all regions of Macedonia, while
the bronze ones are not present in such large quantities.
At the same time, hemidrachms and bronze coins of Alexander IV were minted
according to the Attic system for coinage. The hemidrachm type is the head
of a boy/galloping horseman and bears the legend ,
while there are two types of bronze coins: head of Apollo/galloping horse
or horseman and head of Hercules in lionskin/bludgeon and bow in sheath.
Both types have the legend
or just .
According to the findings so far, in Macedonia only the bronze coins of
Alexander IV were in circulation.
The infrequency of the coins struck by Phillip III and Alexander IV was
due to the fact that, at the time, people were still using posthumously
produced gold and silver coins struck by Phillip II and Alexander III (Phillip's
coins were produced until 294 BC, mostly for foreign trade).
During the reign of Phillip III and Alexander IV, in practical terms authority
was in the hands of Antipater. After his death in 319 BC and following the
fights between the Diadochi, his son, Cassander (316-297 BC) became the
new ruler of Macedonia. He, like the other Diadochi, was often involved
in wars, especially against Demetrius I Poliorcetes, and among other things
he succeeded in arranging the death of Alexander IV in 311 BC, which in
effect ended the Argead dynasty.
Cassander emitted bronze coins only, which in many ways were similar to
the coins of Alexander II. There are two types of his coins: the first type
has the legend
and
was emitted until the year 306 BC. Once he was proclaimed king in 306 BC
the title
appears
on the coins. One type, with a lion on the reverse can be seen in the Museum
collection in Resen. His coins circulated in large quantities in almost
all regions of Macedonia.
After the death of Cassander in 297 BC, the Macedonian state was briefly
ruled by his two sons - Phillip IV (297-296 BC) and Alexander V (295 BC).
Both emitted bronze coins only, very much like Alexander's coins, but thus
far none have been found on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia.
In the year 294 BC, after the death of Alexander V, Demetrius I Poliorcetes
(306-283 BC) acceded to power in Macedonia.
Demetrius
I produced coins even before he was proclaimed ruler of Macedonia. He struck
gold starers, silver tetradrachms, drachmas and hemidrachms, as well as
bronze coins. Small number of coins (especially tetradrachms) were minted
according to the 'alexandrines' with the legend 
or
.
The representations on his coins mostly concern the naval victories, especially
the victory at Salamina against the fleet of the Egyptian king Ptolomy I
in 306 BC. For example, his coins depicted: Nike standing on the bow of
a boat playing the trumpet (staters); Nike standing with a wreath and a
naval flag (staters); a naked Poseidon, his right leg on a rock and a trident
in his left hand (tetradrachms, hemidrachms); a half-naked Poseidon sitting
on a rock with flowers in his right hand and a trident in his left (tetradrachms);
Poseidon walking, swinging a trident in his right hand and his left covered
with himation (tetradrachms, drachmas, bronze) etc.
Demetrius I, like Phillip II and Alexander III, adorned his image with bullhorns,
an attribute of Poseidon on the obverse of some coins. All type coins have
the legend
, or
the initials BA. The coins of Demetrius I were minted in the mints of Palestine,
Phoenicia, Asia Minor, Cypruss, Greece and Macedonia (Pella and Amphipolis).
Thus far a small number of silver and bronze coins have been found on the
territory of the Republic of Macedonia.
This may be an indicator of economic decline in Macedonia, a decline probably
due to the constant battles prior to and during the reign of Demetrius I,
specifically the power struggle between the Paeonian king Audoleon, the
Diadochi Lysimachus and the king of Epirus, Pyrrhus.
King Pyrrhus ruled Macedonia for a relatively short period (287 to 285 BC),
until he was beaten by his former ally Lysimachus. That event placed Lysimachus
on the throne of the Macedonian state as the sole ruler and he reigned until
the year 281 BC.
Pyrrhus produced bronze coins only, but it is presumed that he also struck
gold and silver coins. Several types of his coins are identified with the
legend
or
or simply
BA | SI. As a result of his reign and the economic decline of the Macedonian
people, his coins were circulated in very small quantities. In Macedonia,
only three bronze coins have been found at three locations: two in Pelagonia
(bronze coins near Bu6im, minted in 274-272 BC) and one on the island of
Golem Grad in Lake Prespa.
Lysimachus took part in all wars for power among the Diadochi in Europe
and Asia Minor. His authority is reflected in the numerous coins that were
in circulation.
Lysimachus minted gold coins - starers, silver - tetradrachms, drachmas,
diobols, tetrobols and bronze coins, of which the first three types are
the most common. The first type is made according to the 'alexandrines':
the head of Hercules in a lionskin/Zeus Aetophoros (tetradrachms and drachmas).
The second type depicts the image of Alexander III with a wreath and Amon's
horn/Athena Nikephoros on a throne (staters, tetradrachms, drachmas). The
third type is used on the bronze coins only: the head of Lysimachus in a
helmet/lion jumping to the right. Only three types have a legend
,
which suggests they should be dated after the year 306 BC. Lysimachus, like
Phillip II and Alexander III, inserted his image on the coins of the third
type. Lysimachus' coins were minted in Pergamon, Ephesus, Magnesia, Alexandria
(Troy), Lysimacheia, Amphipolis, Pella, etc.
Large numbers of Lysimachus' silver coins are found on the territory of
Macedonia, most of which are kept in museums in Prilep and Ohrid. The scarcity
of Lysimachus bronze coins is due to the fact that in that rioting period
in Macedonia, the circulation of bronze coins was extremely low.
Lysimachus was killed in 281 BC at the battle at Corurupedium, and the throne
of the Macedonian state was briefly (until 280 BC) held by Seleucus I Nikator
(312-280 BC), one of the Diadochi of Alexander and founder of the Seleucid
dynasty in the Asian part of Alexander's state. Following the battle at
Corupedium in 281, he briefly ruled almost all of Alexander's state.
Seleucus I emitted coins in various denominations with different representations,
mainly of the 'alexandrine' type. His image is included on the coins, and
according to the legend there are two coin types: the first, carrying only
the name 
,
was produced until 306 BC and the second, with the legend
, was
produced after 306 when he was proclaimed king. Of all his coins on the
territory of our country only his tetradrachms in two variations were in
circulation: the head of Hercules in lionskin/Zeus Aetophoros; and the head
of Hercules in lionskin/Zeus on a throne with a figure of Nike crowning
him in his hand. One tetradrachm minted in Amphipolis is kept in the museum
in Ohrid. It is notable that despite the fact that Seleucus I ruled Macedonia
fo[ only one
year, his coins (silver ones only) remained in circulation on our territory
(Pelagonia and Dassaretia), an indicator of the trading contacts of these
two countries during the reign of Seleucus I.
After Seleucus I was assassinated by Ptolomy Keraunos in 280 BC, Macedonia
suffered terrible difficulties during the great military campaign of the
Gauls (Celts) in 280/79 BC. The Gauls, making their way towards Delphi,
ravaged Dardania (northern Macedonia) and Paeonia, as well as other parts
of Macedonia, which had great consequences upon economic development. Evidence
of this is the frequency of coins in the joint findings near Prilepec, D.
Egri-Bukri and Bogdanci, with an upper time limit of 280/79 BC, when the
coins were buried due to the impending Celtic peril. After the defeat of
the Celts by Antigonus II Gonatas in 277 BC, the founder of the Antigonidas
dynasty, the economy began to revive, as is evident from the coin circulation...Go
to PART III...
Ministry of information of Republic of Macedonia
Home | Back | Buy antiques and coins from ancient Macedonia