Ancient Greece - 359-336 BCE Kingdom of Macedon Philip II AV Twelfth-Stater NGC AU

MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Philip II (359-336 BC). AV 1/12 Stater or Obol (8mm, 0.71 gm, 12h). NGC AU Strike: 4/5 Surface: 5/5. Late lifetime-early posthumous issue of Pella, Macedonia. Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo facing right. Reverse: ΦIΛIΠΠOY (PHILLIP), fulmen above, facing lion head below. References: Le Rider 6-35. SNG ANS 209-215.

At times, what is presented upon this issue is called "thunderbolt." However, some clarification is needed. It actually is 'Iron fulmina' (Latin plural: "lightning-bolts"), three lightning-bolts tied together in the center. The origin of this is from Vulcan, the god of fire in Greek and Roman mythology. The name 'Vulcan' is related to words connected to lightning, such as fulmen. The 'Iron fulmina' were used as an insignia of units of the Roman army. Perhaps that was also the case with Greek armies connected to Phillip II, the father of Alexander III the Great.

Pebbles mosaic in a Pella house atrium (Macedonia). The work of classical numismatic art being offered by AUCM was struck in Pella, the birthplace of Philip II and his famous son, Alexander III the Great. Image: wikimedia.org.