Object Description
Ca. 319-310 BC
Kings of Macedon, Antigonos I Monophthalmos, as Strategos of Asia Av. stater, Colophon. In the name & types of Alexander III. Head of Athena right wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with serpent. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ; Nike standing left holding wreath & stylus, monograms in left field & below wing. Price 1792var. Sl edge graze in front of nose, practically as struck.
This gold stater is a rare example minted by the most powerful of Alexander’s Successors, Antigonos I Monopthalmos (“The One-Eyed”). Appointed satrap of Phrygia in 333 BC, Antigonos maintained a broadly steady grip on Asia throughout the wars of the Diadochoi (Arr. 1.29.3).Alongside his son Demetrius Poliorcetes in 306/5 BC, he became the first Successor to proclaim himself King. His resources and military capabilities were so great that at the end of the 4th Century BC it took a series of alliances formed from all the remaining Successors to defeat him.
He was succeeded by Demetrius upon his death at the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC and was considered the patriarch of the Antigonid dynasty.
For additional information see:
Diodorus Siculus. Library of History, Volume I: Books 1-2.34. Translated by C. H. Oldfather. Loeb Classical Library 279. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1933.
Heckel, W., 2006, Who’s who in the age of Alexander the Great: Prosopography of Alexander’s empire. Oxford.
Size: D: 19mm ; 8.43g