This tetradrachm shows on its obverse the head of Zeus, the boss of the Greek gods. It was struck in the late 340s BC in Pella, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. There a great statesman ruled at that time, Philip II (359-336 BC).
Soon after his accession to the throne, Philip conquered the Pangaion region with its rich gold and silver mines. This enabled him to issue masses of coins, which were by far the most efficient mediums for advertisement and propaganda at that time.
The Greek god on Macedonian money expressed Philip’s political program. He claimed pan-Hellenistic power, which immediately put him in oppositionagainst the Persian Empire. Philip intended to conquer Asia Minor and to free the Greek cities under Persian rule. Philip was murdered before he could realize his plans. This would fall to his son, Alexander the Great.