KINGS of MACEDON. temp. Alexander III – Philip III. Circa 325-319 BC. AV Stater

KINGS of MACEDON. temp. Alexander III – Philip III. Circa 325-319 BC. AV Stater (17mm, 8.58 g, 7h). In the name of Alexander III. Amphipolis mint. Struck under Antipater. Helmeted head of Athena right / Nike standing left, holding wreath and stylis; trident head downward in left field. Price 172; Troxell, Studies, p. 125 and pl. 25, F.

Issued at Amphipolis between 325 and 319 BC, this gold stater was struck in the name of Alexander III the Great but under the authority of Antipater, the powerful regent of Macedon during the turbulent years following Alexander’s departure for his eastern campaigns and, later, his death. The obverse features the helmeted head of Athena, a motif emblematic of martial skill and divine protection, which had become a standard design in Alexander’s precious-metal coinage. Amphipolis, located near rich gold and silver resources and well-positioned for access to the Aegean, was one of the principal mints of the Macedonian kingdom. The continuation of Alexander’s name on coinage during Antipater’s regency reflects the enduring political value of Alexander’s image and reputation, even as real power in Macedon shifted to his senior generals.

The reverse depiction of Nike holding a wreath and stylis, paired with the trident symbol in the left field, carries both naval and martial connotations. The trident likely references Macedonian naval strength or a specific military campaign tied to the control of Aegean sea routes. By retaining the established Alexander-type imagery, Antipater not only reinforced continuity and legitimacy in the eyes of the army and citizenry but also ensured the coin’s ready acceptance across the former Persian territories, where Alexander’s gold staters were widely trusted. This piece thus stands as a testament to the careful political balancing act of the early Diadochi period, preserving Alexander’s legacy while consolidating regional power in the wake of his empire’s fragmentation.