Thessalian League
Demetrias mint
Circa 170 BCE
Chalkous Æ 14mm, 2.75g
Round shield of Macedonian form, ornamented with a star at the center and crescents at the edge.
Rev. ΘΕΣΣΑ / ΛΩΝ Dart-sling with pointed dart within.
BCD Thessaly I, 1009. Rogers 4. Warren 1961.
Ex Helios sale 6, 2011, 481
Ex Man in Love With Art VIII
The Thessalian League existed for some time before it minted coinage as a League itself. Jason of Pherai unified the league, though it split apart in the tyranny of
Philip II of Macedon made a strategic alliance with Thessaly, famed for its horses, and many of Alexander’s force that invaded Persia came from Thessaly.
The coinage of the Thessalian League is believed to have started after Rome defeated Philip V at the Battle of Cynosephalae.
This particular coin appears to have been minted during a period of Macedonian influence. The type is relatively rare, and was probably minted for only a short time.
Philip II made president of Thessalian League
The Aetolian League aids Rome in defeating Philip V and the Thessalian League in the Battle of Cynoscephalae. Philip pauses for a day at Gonnos for troops who had survived the battle. Several hundred soldiers from Gortyna participate on the Roman side.
Rome establishes the Thessalian League as a Koinon