ORC6616 Alexander rides Bucephalus, tet, VF+
$250.03
Aug-03-00 
Seller  oldromancoins.com

     Philip II, 369-336 BC, AR tetradrachm, (14.33g) Amphipolis Mint,
     posthumous issue of c. 320 BC, Laureate head of Philip II as Zeus
     right. / QILIR ROU Young Alexander the Great bearing palm branch,
     riding horse Bucephalus right, G below. VF+, test cut on forepart
     of horse, subtle die break on lips.

     The coinage of Philip II was continued for circulation in
     Macedon, under his son Alexander the Great and Philip III as
     well. The 1988 discovery of the royal tomb of Philip II has led
     to the reattribution of this portrait to Philip II assimilated to
     Zeus. Use of the portrait of the king as a god lifted him above
     other men. It did not prevent the assassination of Philip by a
     humiliated soldier in 336 BC.

     The reverse is listed as ''Youth on horseback'' in the reference
     books. Sometimes the type is referred to as a Jockey on the back
     of Philip's horse, who had just won the Olympics. The following
     required the redating of some early issues in this series,
     because Alexander rode Bucephalus in 341 BC. Earlier issues show
     king on horseback, wearing a Macedonian hat.