KINGS OF MACEDON. Ptolemy Keraunos, 281-279 BC. Obol (Bronze, 22 mm, 7.49 g, 3 h), uncertain mint in Macedon. Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. Eagle with closed wings standing right on thunderbolt, head turned to left; to left, racing torch; to right, monogram of ΠΑΡ. AMNG III/2, 36. CPE B150. Rare and with a beautiful turquoise patina. Light deposits, 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 279 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.