Thank you for your patience while we retrieve your images.


Perseus Zoilos

Perseus Zoilos

The portraits of King Perseus vary significantly in quality over the eleven years of his reign, with the earliest issue from 179/178 BC standing out for its exceptional engraving. This coin features a bust of Perseus in high relief, accompanied by the full signature of an official named Zoilus. Given the prominent placement of his name beneath the king's neck, it is likely that Zoilus held a significant role, possibly as a chief adviser or financial officer, rather than a mere mint official. His involvement in the Macedonian mint during the reign of King Philip V and his association with the issue of Rhodian-style drachms after Perseus' defeat further suggest that Zoilus had a trusted and influential position in the court. However, his signature disappeared from subsequent issues, possibly due to backlash from his bold positioning or the perception that it overstepped boundaries.

As Perseus' reign progressed, the quality of coin engravings declined, particularly in the later issues from 171-168 BC, during the Third Macedonian War. This decrease in artistry was mirrored by a reduction in the weight of the coins, reflecting the deteriorating circumstances in Macedon as the kingdom neared its inevitable conflict with Rome, culminating in the defeat at Pydna in 168 BC. The decline in coin quality may have also been linked to the growing financial pressures faced by the kingdom in the face of imminent war.

The initial issue of Perseus' tetradrachms, with its stunning portrait and detailed eagle, became the prototype for later, more mass-produced coins, but none matched the artistry of this early issue. The coin’s fine craftsmanship and the prominent signature of Zoilus are regarded as highlights of Hellenistic Greek coinage. The transition from Zoilus' full name to monograms on subsequent coins likely indicates a shift in the political landscape, where Zoilus’ public association with the king was gradually minimized, reflecting the changing dynamics of Perseus' reign.

Kings of Macedon. Perseus, 179-168 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 32 mm, 16.99 g, 6 h), signed by the senior magistrate (and engraver?) Zoilos on the obverse, Pella, 179. Diademed head of Perseus to right; under the neck truncation, in small letters, ΖΩΙΛΟΥ. Rev. ΒΑΣΙ-ΛΕΩΣ / ΠΕΡ-ΣΕΩΣ Eagle with spread wings standing right on thunderbolt; to right, monograms of ΣΑ and ΖΩΗ; all within oak wreath tied at the bottom; below, star of eight rays. AMNG III/2, 195, 1, pl. 35, 23 (same dies). C. Boehringer, "Chronologie", p. 101, group I, pl. 7, 5 and 18, 1 (same dies). F. de Callataÿ, "Un Tétradrachme de Lysimaque signé au droit et la question des signatures d'artistes à la période hellénistique", RA 1995/1, 15 and 19 (same obverse die). de Luynes 1712 (same dies). EHC 588 (same dies). F. Mamroth, Perseus, 1 (same obverse die)

Ex Freeman and Sear, Los Angeles, fixed price list 11, Spring/Summer, 2006, lot 34