Antigonid Drachm

The Antigonid drachms feature some of the most detailed royal portraits in ancient Greek coinage, with kings like Philip V depicted in high relief that captures the weight of their ambitions.

These silver coins, weighing around 4.3 grams, were struck in Macedonian mints during the dynasty's rule from 306 to 168 BC. They typically show the king's head on the obverse and a Macedonian shield or Heracles on the reverse, reflecting the era's blend of power and mythology. Mintage figures are hazy; records from that time are scarce.

One oddity: the coins' edges sometimes show file marks, likely from ancient tests for silver purity. That says something about trust in those days.

Variations exist, with some issues from cities like Amphipolis, but exact attributions remain debated among scholars. All in all, handling one reminds me why I stick to the tangible facts over the usual tall tales.