Macedonian coins allegedly found at Amphipolis for sale?

It is still unclear whether these fifteen Macedonians coins will really be put up for sale later this month by the German auctioneers Gorny & Mosch in Munich.

[Picture from The Greek Reporter]

The coins belonging to the reign of Alexander the Great and of his father, King Philip II of Macedonia, and seem to be linked to the monumental tomb at Kasta Hill. The estimated asking price is 500 Euros, though the coins could be sold for a much higher price and certainly if the link with Amphipolis can be traced.

There must a law against such sales. In my naivety I expect that the seller should be able to prove the legal and rightful acquisition of such coins, but I have the feeling that the black markets are still thriving … unfortunately.

Highlights of the collection on sale include:

-        a tetradrachm from 356-355 BC carrying the name of PHILIP on the reverse and a picture of Zeus on the obverse

-        a tetradrachm from 355-349/8 BC depicting the head of Zeus with a laurel wreath on the obverse

-        a tetradrachm from 336-323 BC reading KING ALEXANDER on the reverse and showing the head of Heracles on the obverse.

-        a stater from 330-320 BC with the head of Athena wearing a Corinthian helmet on the obverse and the name ALEXANDER on the reverse.

I can’t help wondering whether these coins are authentic or good imitations. In any case, it would be lovely to put one of the Alexander coins on display in my house, wouldn’t it?