MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AV stater (19mm, 8.51 gm, 1h). NGC Choice MS S 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Posthumous issue of Babylon, under Peithon, Satrap of Media (323-314 BC), 315-314 BC. Head of Athena right, hair flowing in waves, upswept at temple, and loose over left shoulder, wearing pendant earring, necklace, and triple crested Corinthian helmet pushed back on head, long parallel crest ends, bowl decorated with coiled serpent right / ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / ΒΑΣ-ΙΛΕΩΣ, Nike standing facing, head left, wreath in outstretched right hand, stylis cradled in left arm; XA monogram in left field below wing, MYP monogram in wreath in right field below wing. Price 3724. Müller 726. Sharp and highly detailed, with significant bright luster in the fields. Peithon was originally one of Alexander the Great's bodyguards. At a conclave of generals following the conqueror's death, Peithon was appointed Satrap (or governor) of the important province of Media, containing Babylon. During the early Wars of the Diadochi (322-281 BC), Peithon was a major player and could easily have ended up alongside Ptolemy, Seleucus, and Cassander as ruler of a major successor kingdom; however he was betrayed by his erstwhile ally Antigonus Monopthalmus and executed, probably early in 314 BC.

HID09801242017

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