Aureus ΟΛYMΠIAC

Unpublished.

Notes from Leu Numistmatik :

"ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑC," identifies the figure as Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great (c. 375–316 BC). This indicates that the coin is an otherwise unknown Roman provincial gold issue from the Macedonian Koinon, which produced bronze coinage and rare gold and silver medals celebrating Alexander and Caracalla in the 3rd century AD. Modern scholars link this series to the famous Aboukir medallions—large gold medals with motifs connected to Alexander and Caracalla. Some of these medals depict Olympias on the obverse, supporting the identification of this coin. Its design closely resembles a unique, smaller gold medal of Alexander from the L. A. Adams Collection, which features his portrait and a lion symbolizing Herakles; in this case, the reverse bears the eagle of Zeus, referencing Alexander’s divine paternity. The coin likely served as a commemorative piece, perhaps awarded at the Macedonian games honoring Alexander. Its limited production suggests it was distributed among participants, with larger medals awarded to winners and smaller ones to others. Its appearance in the northern Danube region of the Aurum Barbarorum probably results from looting during the Gothic invasions of the 250s–260s, after which it was repurposed as jewelry, evidenced by its perforation. Accordingly, it has been categorized within the 'Provincial Group' (lots 417–420) of the collection.