Kingdom of Macedonia – Silver Stater of Archelaus I (413–399 BC) – Replica

This replica is based on a silver stater struck under Archelaus I, king of Macedonia from 413 to 399 BC, a ruler credited with transforming Macedonia into a powerful and culturally vibrant Greek kingdom. His reign marked the strengthening of the Macedonian state, major military reforms, and the development of roads, fortifications, and the royal capital Aegae. Archelaus also invited famous Greek artists, poets, and athletes to his court, helping elevate Macedon’s prestige among the Greek world.

Obverse:
The coin features the head of Apollo facing right, wearing a tainia (headband). Apollo was the god of prophecy, music, and harmony, and his appearance on the coin reflects the king’s patronage of the arts as well as Macedonia’s religious connections to the oracles and sacred sanctuaries of Greece.

Reverse:
The reverse shows a horse standing right, its foreleg raised, wearing a bridle with a trailing rein, all within a shallow incuse square. The horse was a central symbol of Macedonian identity and prestige—representing nobility, military strength, and the famed Macedonian cavalry that would later become the elite force of kings like Philip II and Alexander the Great.
The inscription ΑΡΧΕΛΑ (ARCHELA) identifies the issuing authority of King Archelaus.

This replica captures the symbolism and history of Macedonia during its emergence as a significant Greek kingdom. It is a fine piece for collectors interested in early Macedonian coinage and the era that laid the foundations for the rise of Alexander the Great.