Philip III (successor of Alexander the Great), Bronze Unit

Includes glass top display box.

Obverse: Head of Apollo wearing taenia

Reverse: Nude youth on horseback to right

Attribution: Price P64 (From the British Museum catalogue "Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus" by Martin J. Price)

This Macedonian bronze coin was minted in the name of Philip III, the elder half brother of Alexander the Great and his immediate successor upon his death. The denomination of these coins is not known for certain, though they are sometimes called hemiobols or tetrachalkons by modern scholars.

After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was left without a clear successor. This led to a series of conflicts known as the Wars of the Diadochi, where Alexander's former generals and officials fought for control over different parts of his vast empire.

The Macedonian army in Asia proclaimed Philip III the new king after Alexander's death in 323 BCE. However, in reality he served as more of a figurehead as a true line of succession was established. Philip was intellectually disabled, and the Macedonian generals deemed him unfit to rule. A compromise was eventually struck in which Philip would retain the official title of king, but his ruling powers would be handed to Perdiccas, one of Alexander the Great's generals.

Philip III would eventually be assassinated by the usurper Kassander, along with his nephew and co-sovereign Alexander IV.

All purchases include a Certificate of Authenticity. You will receive the exact item in the photos.