Kingdom of Macedon, Philip II, Didrachm

The obverse of this didrachm features the hero Heracles wearing a lion's skin. This motif harks back to a legend from Greek mythology in which Heracles defeated the terrifying Nemean lion. Henceforth Heracles wore the lion's head as a helmet and its skin as a cloak.

The reverse represents King Philip II of Macedonia (359-336 BC): gesturing victory with his hand, he is mounted on the horse that had won the carriage race in his name at the 356 BC Olympics.