Political and Cultural Continuity with Argead Prototypes in Early Hellenistic Royal Coinage

Continuity between the emerging Hellenistic monarchies and the Argead past is much debated in recent scholarship. With royal coins being our best source for the question, this paper argues for taking a broader view of Macedonian coining traditions. Though a formidable figure, Alexander did not excise everything that had come before him. In three case studies from respectively Egyptian, Asian and European contexts, I shall attempt to demonstrate two main points, namely

1. that a broader view does more justice to the cultural, religious and political backgrounds and preoccupations of those issuing and receiving coins in the Age of the Successors, and
2. that such a view very clearly reveals that all Successor dynasties were much more concerned to express continuity with the Argeads and Alexander’s empire than many scholars assume.

Whilst some deny continuity without even considering coinage (e.g. Mileta), many numismatic studies tend to employ an overly static conception of tradition and focus mostly on the influence of Alexander the Great’s main types, downplaying other Macedonian prototypes, the significance of minor symbols, or the cultural context of coin production (e.g. Rodriguez; Erickson; Wheatley & Dunn). And although iconography cannot be interpreted without studying production, denominations and circulation (de Callataÿ; Hoover), political interpretations of weight standard reductions that are at odds with the coins’ iconographic messages (e.g. Lorber) seem equally hazardous. Finally, it is not always considered that distinguishing oneself from rival dynasties was as important as continuity with Alexander, and many of the alleged innovations remain well within the spectrum of Macedonia’s coining tradition.

Although such concerns have been raised before (cf. e.g. Lianou; Dahmen), they are yet to be explored systematically. Plotting all features of Diadoch coinage (323-281 BCE) – including symbols, inscriptions, monograms – by ruler/dynasty over time and relating them to Classical Macedonian prototypes and the broader cultural context, will enhance our understanding of individual features and of the overall designs. After presenting my general approach, I shall discuss three representative case studies from my ongoing research project that fit the scope of a conference paper.