MACEDON Philip III Arrhidaios AE Half Unit 323-317 BC Gorgon Shield Helmet Kauno

Historical Overview

This exceptionally interesting bronze half-unit features classic Macedonian military iconography: a Macedonian shield adorned with a facing Gorgoneion on the obverse, and a crested Macedonian helmet on the reverse.

While originally attributed by Martin Price in his monumental work (The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus) to the mint of Miletos in Caria, modern numismatic scholarship reattributes this distinct series to the mint of Kaunos in Asia Minor. Struck as an anonymous issue under the authority of the Macedonian satrap Asandrosduring the brief, turbulent reign of Alexander the Great's half-brother, Philip III Arrhidaios (323–317 B.C.).

Coin Specifications

• Authority: Kingdom of Macedonia, under King Philip III Arrhidaios (323–317 B.C.)

• Magistrate/Satrap: Asandros (323–319 B.C.)

• Mint: Kaunos, Caria, Asia Minor (formerly attributed to Miletos)

• Denomination: Bronze (AE) Half Unit / Quarter Unit

• Diameter: 17 mm

• Weight: 3.63 g

• Die Axis: 340°

• References: Price 2065; cf. HGC 3.1, 958a

Design & Features

• Obverse: Macedonian shield, beautifully centered with a facing Gorgoneion (Medusa head) on the central boss.

• Reverse: Detailed, crested Macedonian helmet with cheek pieces. In the fields:

  • B - A (Basileos - King)

  • Labrys (double-headed axe) to the left field

  • K to the right field (signifying the Kaunos mint)