Kings of Macedonia. Antigonos II Gonatas (277-239 BC). Tetradrachm Amphipolis or Pella, circa 229-221/0 BC

KINGS OF MACEDON. Antigonos II Gonatas. 277/6-239 BC. AR tetradrachm. 16.85 gm. 30 mm. Amphipolis or Pella, circa 229-221/0 BC.
Obv: Horned head of Pan left, wearing goat's skin tied around his neck, lagobolon behind, all within the center of a Macedonian shield adorned with seven stars within double crescents.
Rev: Athena Alkidemos standing to left, wielding thunderbolt and shield; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right, ΑΝΤΙΓΟΝΟΥ to left, crested Macedonian helmet to inner left, KT to inner right.
Ref: HGC 3.1, 1042 (Antigonos II Gonatas)
Good Very Fine; lightly toned; well centered, pleasant style with a full clear strike.

R. Mathisen, in his study "Antigonus Gonatas and the silver coinages of Macedonia circa 280-270 B.C.," ANSMN 26 (1981), contends that the fighting Athena symbolizes Pyrrhos, and that she was used here to emphasize the Macedonian king's victory over his challenger; and also that Pan symbolizes Antigonos' victory over the Gauls, whose invasions had terrorized Macedon and Thrace for decades.