Nomos 1

MACEDON, Philippoi. Circa 356-345 BC. Stater (Gold, 8.62 g 4). Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΩ[Ν] Tripod with three handles and feet ending in lion’s paws; to right, horse’s head to left. Bellinger, Philippi 16 (this coin cited). Very rare. A fresh and attractive example. Some minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.

Ex Hamburger 98, 3 April 1933, 494.

Philippoi was a city founded by Thasos in 360 under the name Krenides in order to take advantage of the nearby gold mines. The settlers were opposed by the Thracians and, in 357, called on Philip II for protection against them; he came to their aid, added new colonists and renamed the town after himself. The mines were an important addition to his finances and helped the expansion of Macedonian power that was to culminate during the reign of Alexander III. The gold staters of Philippoi are very rare, indeed, with only a handful of all issues in existence today. The most famous event to occur at Philippoi was the great battle of 42 BC when Antony and Octavian destroyed the army of Brutus and Cassius.