Obverse: Facing mask of Silenus, wearing ivy wreath.

Reverse: MAKE/ΔONΩN in two lines, D above; all within oak wreath.

MacKay pl. III, 10; Touratsoglou, Macedonia 25; HGC 3, 1117.

[Macedon (Roman Protectorate), 167-165 BC].

Diameter: 26 mm. Weight: 11.5 g.

A superb ancient bronze coin with an unusual facing portrait of the god Silenus. In Greek mythology Silenus was the tutor of Dionysus and his life-long companion - he is generally depicted as bearded, elderly, and with the ears and tail of a horse. This remarkable issue was overstruck on a previous Roman Republican issue (the profile of Roma is visible on the obverse right) minted immediately after the invasion and occupation of Macedonia by the Roman army. It is thought that the original coins which featured the head of Roma on the obverse had not been popular with the local population of Macedonia and so a new design featuring neutral imagery - the facing mask of Silenus was produced and struck over the earlier issues. The image of Silenus seems to bear no major significance to either the Macedonians or the Romans and so its application can be seen in terms of cultural mediation - an attempt not to rock the boat. This is a wonderful example of this rare issue with excellent details and an attractive dark brown patina. A miniature masterpiece of Classical Greek art.