MACEDON UNDER ROMAN PROTECTORATE. Roman Embassy (Circa 148-147 BC). Tetradrachm. Amphipolis or Thessalonica.

Obv: Diademed and draped bust of Artemis right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; all in centre of Macedonian shield.
Rev: LEG / MAKEΔONΩN.
Club; above, hand holding olive branch left; all within oak wreath, thunderbolt to outer left.

MacKay, Macedonian, Series 1, 3c; AMNG III/1 194.

This tetradrachm was struck following Andriskos' attempt to restore the Macedonian kingdom. Born into a humble family, he exploited his resemblance to King Perseus to impersonate his illegitimate son and lay claim to the kingdom. Andriskos was initially in the pay of Demetrios I of Syria, from whom he hoped to receive support to conquer Macedonia, but he was handed over to the Romans in 153. He managed to escape to Miletos and was helped by Callippa, a former concubine of Perseus, who gave him the royal insignia and money. Thanks to this help, Andriskos organized a small army in Thrace and crossed into Macedonia, where he seized the Strymon Valley in 149 and was well received by the lower classes of the population. He was crowned king and chose Pella as his capital. After the Carthaginians offered Andriskos money and ships, the Romans sent an embassy headed by P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, followed by two legions led by the praetor Q. Caecilius Metellus. The latter succeeded in defeating Andriskos and brought him to Rome, celebrating his triumph. The Roman embassy (legatio) is commemorated on this coin with the addition of a hand holding a branch, symbolizing the peace offered to Macedonia, which from that moment became a Roman province.

Condition: Near extremely fine.

Weight: 16.76 g.
Diameter: 29 mm.