Ancient Greek Macedonia – Demetrios I Poliorketes, 306–283 BC – Macedonian Shield

ANCIENT GREECE – KINGDOM OF MACEDONIA – DEMETRIOS I POLIORKETES (306–283 BC). BRONZE COIN. MACEDONIAN SHIELD TYPE. PELLA MINT.

An authentic ancient Macedonian bronze coin associated with Demetrios I Poliorketes, one of the most colorful and ambitious rulers of the early Hellenistic age.

Demetrios I, whose name “Poliorketes” means “Besieger of Cities,” was the son of Antigonos I Monophthalmos, one of the most powerful generals and successors of Alexander the Great. Demetrios became King of Macedon and was one of the major figures competing for control of Alexander's former empire.

Coin Design

Obverse: A Macedonian shield, a powerful military symbol associated with the Macedonian army and its famous infantry tradition.

Reverse: The reverse design features the characteristic imagery and legends of the Macedonian royal coinage, with Pella associated as the mint.

The Macedonian shield is particularly appropriate imagery for Demetrios, whose career was dominated by military campaigns and some of the most famous siege operations of the Hellenistic period.

Historical Background

Demetrios gained his famous nickname after his celebrated siege of Rhodes in 305–304 BC. His enormous siege machines became legendary, and although he failed to capture the city, the event earned him the title Poliorketes – “Besieger.”

In 306 BC, Demetrios and his father took the royal title, marking an important turning point in the struggle among Alexander the Great's successors. Demetrios eventually became king of Macedonia, although his rule there was interrupted by continuing wars with rival Hellenistic rulers.

The Macedonian Kingdom was the homeland of Philip II and Alexander the Great, and coins issued by its later Hellenistic kings continued to carry symbols associated with Macedonian military power and royal authority.

Coin Details

• Kingdom: Macedonia
• Ruler: Demetrios I Poliorketes
• Date: 306–283 BC
• Period: Early Hellenistic
• Denomination: Bronze
• Type: Macedonian Shield
• Mint: Pella
• Metal: Bronze
• Reference: MELMET (as supplied)

A fascinating piece of Hellenistic history from the age of Alexander the Great's successors, featuring the iconic Macedonian shield and connected with one of the most famous military rulers of the ancient world.

Please examine the photographs for the exact denomination, legends, monograms, mintmarks, weight, diameter and condition of this individual coin.