King Philip II's military victory over the Athenians and Thebans at Chaeronea in 338 BC gave the Macedonians supreme rule over the rest of Greece. It prepared the way for the extensive empire soon to be wrested from the Persians by his son, Alexander the Great (reigned 336-323). During Philip's life however, there were other achievements of which he was proud, and winning at Olympia justly ranked high among them. In 352 Philip won the tethrippon, a four horse chariot race, and in 348 BC the synoris, a race for chariots pulled by a pair of horses. He had also won the horse race earlier in 356 BC. These Olympic victories were so prestigious that Philip II issued coins depicting the events, and this gold stater features the two-horse chariot of his synoris win in 348 BC.

The reverse of the coin features the chariot racing to the right with the charioteer coiled within the rim of the coin, and his whip beating upon the horses in a gallop to the finish. Just visible at the top is the victory wreath symbolising that this was no ordinary chariot, but an Olympic winner. In the exergue (below the ground line) is the name, Philip, and below the horse is a serpent and the monogram A and Pi, identifying for the ancients where it was minted (probably Pella, the capital of Macedon). On the obverse is the laureate (wreathed) head of the quintessential Greek god, Apollo.

This type of coin was actually issued long after Philip II's death and perpetuates the same coin design minted by him after his chariot victory. This particular example was minted during the rule of Philip III Arrhidaeus (reigned 323-317 BC). Such continuity is economically understandable for a coin widely recognised and trusted as far as northern Europe where the Celts imitated the design, and continued to do so for hundreds of years. Also, coins were excellent propaganda, and perpetuating a prestigious Olympic victory was as logical for Philip's successors as it was for Philip himself, who Plutarch (Alexander 4) says was personally responsible for the designs of his coins. Philip II had territorial ambitions that he passed onto his son. This coin is a reminder that the Olympic Games had played their part in establishing Philip's reputation as a man capable of conquering the world.

Probably Pella mint

Issued posthumously to Phillip's death in 336 BC

Coin, stater, Phillip II, gold, Macedon [Pella mint], 323-315 B.C.

Circular gold disc (8.59 grams), with designs in relief on either side. Obverse: head of the god Apollo wearing laureate, in profile, facing right. Reverse: two horse chariot (biga), facing to right, and driven by charioteer holding goad, a trace of wreath is pictured above this, a serpent to the right and below in exergue, monogram of A & Pi.

Maker: Pella mint; Macedon; 323 - 315

Reverse: in exergue monogram of "A" and "Pi"

94/269/1

323 - 315

2 mm

17 mm