3 Roman gold medallions from the Tarsus treasure. From Turkey, 3rd century CE, now housed at the Museum of the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris 

 

A gold medallion from the 3rd century BC depicting Philip II of Macedon, king of Macedon and father of Alexander the Great.

Part of the so-called “Tarsus Treasure,” discovered in Tarsus, this piece reflects the lasting prestige of the Macedonian royal legacy even after Philip’s death. Though he ruled in the 4th century BC, his image continued to appear on valuable objects, symbolizing power, authority, and continuity in the Hellenistic world.

Philip II transformed Macedon into a dominant military force, reorganizing the army with the phalanx and laying the foundations for the vast empire later created by his son.

Such medallions were not everyday currency, but high-status objects—likely ceremonial or diplomatic gifts—highlighting both wealth and political influence across the eastern Mediterranean.