English: KINGS of MACEDON. Archelaos. 413-400/399 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.78 g, 8h). Aigai mint(?). Warrior, wearing kausia, holding two spears in left hand and rein in right, on horseback left; kerykeion on horse's rump / AP-XE-ΛAO, forepart of goat right, head reverted in linear square within incuse square. Westermark, Staters, Group I, dies O–/R7 (unlisted obv. die); AMNG III/2, 1; SNG ANS 64; Weber 2024 (same rev. die). Good VF, area of flat strike. Struck from fresh dies. Rare first coinage of Archelaos.

From the RAJ Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 73 (13 September 2006), lot 123; Triton V (15 January 2002), lot 1273.

Archelaos was one of early Macedon's most capable kings. His reign saw major changes to state administration, the organization of the kingdom's military, and significant developments in commerce that helped stabilize the kingdom's finances. Perhaps the most important event of his reign was a rapprochment with Athens, historically an opponent to the Macedonian kings. In 413 BC, Athens suffered a devastating defeat at Syracuse that destroyed most of its fleet of ships. Amphipolis had provided Athens with timber for shipbuilding, but the Athenians lost control of the city to Macedon in 424 BC. Rather than see the Athenians struggle to rebuild, Archelaos used this as an opportunity to normalize relations with Athens as an equal power, and supplied them with the timber they required. This single act greatly enriched his kingdom, and ingratiated Archelaos with the Athenians such that they honored him and his family with the titles of proxenos and euergetes. Other significant events were his relocation of the Argead capital from Aigai to Pella, and the expansion of trade with various cities in Greece. This trade greatly increased the influence of Hellenic culture in Macedon, and many Greek artists, poets, musicians, and tragedians were brought to Archelaos' court. Archelaos was murdered in 399 BC, but the sources differ on the circumstances.