KINGS OF MACEDON. Ptolemy Keraunos, 281-279 BC. Dichalkon (Bronze, 11 mm, 1.19 g, 10 h). Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. Thunderbolt; to left, uncertain monogram (NK?); to right, monogram of ΠΑΡ. AMNG III/2, p. 6, 38 ('Paroreia'). CPE B163. HGC 3.1, -. SNG ANS -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG München -. Extremely rare. Patina stripped and with some corrosion, otherwise, about very fine.


Ptolemy Keraunos, the eldest son of Ptolemy I, assassinated Seleukos I shortly after the latter’s victory over Lysimachos at the Battle of Koroupedion in 281 BC. Keraunos set himself up as the new Macedonian king, though he had little time to enjoy his rule, as in 297 BC, the Galatians invaded Greece in force. Keraunos set out to defeat them, but during the ensuing battle, he fell from his war elephant, and after being captured by the Celts, he was beheaded, his head was stuck on a spear and then unceremoniously paraded around the battlefield.